Jaguars trade Fortner for Saunders

Jacksonville trades for Khalen Saunders sending Luke Fortner to New Orleans following a 17-17 preseason tie with the Saints.

Jaguars Acquire Saunders After Preseason Tie

Jacksonville traded center Luke Fortner to New Orleans for defensive tackle Khalen Saunders after a 17-17 preseason tie with the Saints. Saunders, 29, has two Super Bowl rings with Kansas City and spent the last two seasons with New Orleans. Fortner, who started for Jacksonville in recent seasons, has posted below-average PFF grades, while the Jaguars drafted Jonah Monheim in the 2025 draft and he pushed Fortner for the backup center spot during the preseason.

Monheim showed strong potential in Week 1 of the 2025 preseason, logging 46 snaps, including 20 in passing downs, with no pressures allowed. In New Orleans, Fortner will back up Erik McCoy, adding needed depth for a veteran Saints line. The Jaguars wrap up their preseason with a game against the Dolphins before Week 1 against the Panthers.

This move signals a shift toward immediate impact for Jacksonville. Saunders brings interior disruption and a championship mindset, while Monheim's rise nudges Fortner out of the picture. The front office appears willing to test a younger plan and trade a veteran depth option to accelerate that process.

For New Orleans, Fortner adds center depth behind Erik McCoy and could help rotate lines as the team searches for stability up front. The trade shows how preseason games can quickly redefine depth charts and chemistry as teams set their rosters for Week 1.

Highlights

Roster moves like this remind us that August action can define a season.