Panthers Agree to Terms with Center Luke Fortner

Get to know the veteran lineman with these fast five facts.

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The Carolina Panthers have reportedly agreed to terms with center Luke Fortner, who spent the last three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars and one year with the New Orleans Saints. Fortner, an Ohio native, brings experience playing multiple interior offensive line positions, having started at guard for four years at Kentucky before transitioning to center for his final season.

Why it matters

The Panthers value offensive linemen who can play multiple positions, and Fortner's versatility and experience as both a guard and center will be an asset as they look to solidify their offensive line.

The details

Fortner was drafted by the Jaguars in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft and started every game for them for the first two seasons before being used more as a depth player in his third year. He was then traded to the Saints, where he became the starting center in Week 8 of the 2025 season and helped the team go 5-4 with quarterback Tyler Shough. Fortner finished the 2025 season ranked 8th among qualifying centers in quarterback pressure rate.

  • Fortner was drafted by the Jaguars in the 3rd round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
  • He started every game for the Jaguars in his first two NFL seasons.
  • Fortner was traded to the Saints ahead of the 2025 season.
  • He became the Saints' starting center in Week 8 of the 2025 season.

The players

Luke Fortner

A veteran offensive lineman who has played center and guard in the NFL, spending the last four seasons with the Jaguars and Saints before reportedly agreeing to terms with the Panthers.

Tyler Shough

The quarterback who started games for the Saints in 2025 when Fortner was the team's starting center.

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What they’re saying

“Central Kentucky's just been such a big part of all our lives. We've been so happy to receive the support of Central Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky, and the state of Kentucky as a whole, so to be able to give back to that cause and support these people has been really special to us.”

— Luke Fortner (statenews.net)

What’s next

The Panthers will look to integrate Fortner into their offensive line as they aim to solidify the unit ahead of the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Fortner's versatility and experience playing multiple interior offensive line positions make him a valuable addition to the Panthers' offensive line, as the team looks to build a strong unit that can protect the quarterback and open holes in the running game.