New Orleans Saints Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced today that the club has acquired offensive lineman Luke Fortner from the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for defensive tackle Khalen Saunders pending completion of player physicals.
Fortner, 6-4, 307, is a fourth-year NFL veteran who was originally selected in the third round (65th overall) by the Jaguars out of Kentucky. In three seasons with the Jaguars, the Sylvania, Ohio native has played in all 51 games with 34 starts at center.
In college, Fortner played in 55 career games with 36 consecutive starts for the Wildcats. He was elected as a team captain in 2021, when he was a second-team All-SEC selection.
New Orleans Saints announced the club traded for center Luke Fortner. Check out Fortner in action with the Jacksonville Jaguars during his NFL career.
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) walks off the field after a NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Saturday, August 9, 2025, Jacksonville,Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) walks onto the field during a NFL football scrimmage, Friday, August 1, 2025, in Jacksonville,Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) walks off the field after a NFL football training camp, Friday, July 25, 2025, in Jacksonville,Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner performs a drill during practice at the team's NFL football training camp, Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) works out during a team NFL football practice, Monday, May 19, 2025, in Jacksonville,Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) leaves the field after an NFL preseason football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Chiefs 26-13. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) performs a drill during the team's NFL football training camp, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) practices during an NFL training camp, Friday, July. 26, 2024, in Jacksonville,Fla. (Logan Bowles via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) drops back to block during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Ravens won 23 - 7. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) plays against the Cleveland Browns during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) in action during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) runs on the field during player introductions before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) sets the play against the Houston Texans during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov 26, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) in action during an NFL football game against Houston Texans, Sunday, Nov 26, 2023, in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) in action during an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Titans 34-14. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) drops back to block during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, in New Orleans. The Jaguars won 31-24. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) blocks New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (90) during an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, in New Orleans. The Jaguars won 31-24. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) in action during an NFL pre-season football game against the Miami Dolphins, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Dolphins 31-18. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) lines up on the line of scrimmage during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 27-20. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) sets to snap the ball during an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won 27-20. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Luke Fortner (79) waits to snap the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL divisional round playoff football game Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs defeated the Jaguars 27-20. (Greg Trott via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) walks off of the field against the New York Jets during an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jaguars defeated the Jets, 19-3. (Cooper Neill via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) prepares to snap the football during an NFL game against the New York Jets, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Jaguars defeated the Jets 19-3. (Kara Durrette via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Luke Fortner (79) walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. Jaguars defeated the Cowboys 40-34 in overtime. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Jacksonville Jaguars center Luke Fortner (79) lines up against the Tennessee Titans before snapping the football during an NFL game, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022 in Nashville, Tenn. The Jaguars defeated the Titans 36-22. (Kara Durrette via AP)
