Saints Trade Khalen Saunders to Jaguars: Luke Fortner Swap
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Trade Details:
New Orleans Saints receive: Offensive lineman Luke Fortner from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jacksonville Jaguars receive: Defensive lineman Khalen Saunders from the New Orleans Saints.
The trade occured on Sunday night, following a 17-17 preseason tie between the two teams.
Khalen Saunders:
Age: 29
Former team: Kansas City Chiefs (won two Super Bowls with them)
drafted: 3rd round of the 2019 draft by the Chiefs.
Played two seasons with the Saints (2023-2024).
Notable play: 37-yard interception return against Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs in 2024 – the longest interception return by a player 300+ pounds since 2007.
Stats (2023-2024): 37 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception.
Started all 17 games in 2023 and 10 of 13 games in 2024.
Luke Fortner:
Age: 27
drafted: 3rd round of the 2022 draft by the Jaguars.
started all 17 games in his first two seasons with Jacksonville.
Did not start any games last year after the Jaguars acquired Mitch Morse.
The Jaguars also brought in Robert Hainsey this offseason.
Saints’ Motivation:
The Saints needed offensive line depth after Will Clapp suffered a season-ending injury.
* Clapp was expected to be the backup to Pro Bowl center Erik McCoy.