March 10, 2026, 7:28 p.m. ET
The Carolina Panthers could also be reeling of their subsequent beginning middle.
According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, the Panthers have an agreement in place with free-agent middle Luke Fortner. The deal, per Pelissero, shall be a one-year pact price as much as $4.75 million.
A primary-team All-SEC choice from the University of Kentucky, Fortner was chosen within the third spherical of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He’d final three seasons there, making 34 begins over 51 video games.
Fortner, after shedding the beginning job in Jacksonville throughout the 2024 season, was traded to the New Orleans Saints this previous summer season for defensive lineman Khalen Saunders. He began in 10 of his 17 outings for Carolina’s NFC South rivals.
Carolina has reportedly misplaced their beginning middle from 2025, Cade Mays—who’s expected to sign a three-year, $25 million contract with the Detroit Lions.
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