CHARLOTTE — The Panthers have a new middle man on the offensive line after reportedly agreeing to terms with veteran center Luke Fortner on Tuesday evening.
A Kentucky alum, Fortner was originally drafted in the third-round by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022. He spent three seasons with the Jags before being traded to the New Orleans Saints ahead of the 2025 season. He has played in 68 games in his career, while starting 44, including 10 last season with the Saints.
According to Next Gen Stats, Fortner's 4.3 percentage of quarterback pressures allowed was the eighth-lowest amongst qualifying centers in the league last season (min. 350 pass blocking snaps).
Fortner's reported addition will fill a need after incumbent starter and free agent Cade Mays reportedly agreed to terms with the Detroit Lions on Monday.
View photos of the 2026 free agency re-signings as the Panthers welcome back Isaiah Simmons, LaBryan Ray, Robert Rochell, Akayleb Evans, Claudin Cherelus, James Mitchell, and Trevis Gipson
The Carolina Panthers re-sign Isaiah Simmons on Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers re-sign LaBryan Ray on Monday, Mar. 9, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers re-sign Robert Rochell on Monday, Mar. 9, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers re-sign David Moore on Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers take on the Atlanta Falcons on Sep. 21, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Lester Barnes/Carolina Panthers)
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers re-sign Thomas Income on Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers re-sign Akayleb Evans on Wednesday, Mar. 11, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the New York Jets on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025 at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025 at Bank Of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers re-sign Claudin Cherelus on Friday, Mar. 13, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026 at Bank Of America Stadium, in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers re-sign James Mitchell on Monday, Mar. 16, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers take on the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 5, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Alex Herko//Carolina Panthers)
The Carolina Panthers take on the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 5, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Alex Herko//Carolina Panthers)
The Carolina Panthers sign Trevis Gipson on Monday, Mar. 16, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers resign Sam Martin on Thursday, Mar. 19, 2026 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
The Carolina Panthers face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL
The Carolina Panthers face the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2025 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, NC.
