Saints depth takes hit as Luke Fortner heads to Panthers

By Ross Jackson

The New Orleans Saints are seeing their third big departure of the offseason. 

Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, center Luke Fortner is expected to take a one-year deal with the NFC South rival Carolina Panthers.

Fortner was an important piece to the Saints’ season in 2025. He was acquired via the trade that sent former Saints defensive tackle Khalen Saunders to the Jacksonville Jaguars. While he started off as a depth player, he stepped into a starting role during the team’s Week 7 matchup with the Chicago Bears.

During that game, starting center Erik McCoy suffered a season-ending pectoral injury, thrusting Fortner into the starting lineup for the remainder of the season.

The former third-round selection stepped in and helped the Saints ward off the fate they fell subject to in 2024 with strong play at the position. The year before, McCoy suffered a different injury and the Saints immediately went on a seven-game skid. Fortner was one of the biggest reasons that did not happen in 2025. 

His signing with the Panthers is likely tied to him being able to take a larger role. Carolina lost last year’s starting center, Cade Mays, to the Detroit Lions in free agency, opening a spot for Fortner to go from reliable depth player to potential long-term starter.

He took a one-year deal with the Panthers, giving him a chance to put together a good season before potentially exploring the market again.

Meanwhile, the Saints will now have to be in the market for another backup center. Options are thin on the open market, so perhaps targeting Day 3 of the NFL Draft could provide them their best opportunity. Indiana’s Pat Coogan and Kentucky’s Jager Burton are expected to land in that range and could be worthwhile investments.