The New Orleans Saints may soon bid farewell to offensive lineman Luke Fortner, following a standout season that has generated interest from other teams. In a move made back in August, the Saints acquired Fortner from the Jacksonville Jaguars, trading defensive tackle Khalen Saunders in exchange for the 27-year-old lineman. Initially seen as merely a depth addition, Fortner”s role shifted dramatically when starting center Erik McCoy suffered an injury.
Fortner stepped into the starting lineup and exceeded expectations, participating in all 17 games and making 10 starts. In contrast, Saunders played just two games for the Jaguars and was more active with the New York Jets, where he appeared in seven contests. The Saints effectively secured a reliable starter at minimal cost, marking a significant win for the franchise.
However, Fortner”s impressive performance has led to speculation about his future. Matthew Paras from The Times-Picayune and The Advocate suggested that Fortner”s success may lead him to seek a starting position with another team when free agency begins. “Acquiring Fortner from the Jacksonville Jaguars in the preseason proved to be such a prudent move that owner Gayle Benson touted it as one of Mickey Loomis” accomplishments when defending the longtime general manager,” Paras noted. “And Loomis did deserve credit. Fortner became a dependable starter after center Erik McCoy went down, so much so that the Saints are anticipating he”ll receive an opportunity to start elsewhere next season. That opportunity, as well as the price tag that comes with it, makes Fortner”s return for another year unlikely. Prediction: Leaving.”
While having Fortner back would certainly benefit the Saints, his performance has earned him the chance for a more lucrative contract and a starting role that may not be available in New Orleans. If he does find that opportunity, it will be well-deserved, given how he outperformed expectations upon joining the team. The free agency period is set to commence on March 9, and it will be then that the market begins to heat up.
