Luke Fortner is another Jaguar on the spot as he battles for a roster spot at center.
Another in a series on Jacksonville Jaguars veterans who are battling for starting jobs or roster spots during the 2025 training camp.
Center Luke Fortner
Years with the Jaguars: Four.
Career highlights: Fortner was drafted in the third round in 2022 from Kentucky and started the first 34 games of his NFL career. But when the Jaguars' running game fell from 14th in the NFL in 2022 to 24th in 2023, and the team experienced problems in the red zone and short-yardage situations, Fortner was one of the scapegoats and the Jaguars signed veteran Mitch Morse. Fortner played all 17 games in 2024 but hasn’t started since the final game of 2023.
Camp scenario: For the second year in a row, under a different front office and coaching staff, the Jaguars have brought in another veteran center after Morse retired. Robert Hainsey, who is in his fifth season, was signed during free agency from Tampa Bay. Not only that, but the Jaguars drafted a center, Jonah Monheim from USC. Fortner is running second team behind Hainsey but ahead of Monheim. Fortner is in his contract year and he needs the playing time to either convince the Jaguars to bring him back or to convince another team to sign him.
Luke Fortner on offensive line improvement
”I think we’re playing really well together. I think a lot of discipline, a lot of finish. Guys are playing hard for each other and I think we’re really cohesive right now.”
Luke Fortner on Day 10 of camp and the line’s setback
”No matter how good or not good your offense is, if you’re false-starting, you’re not going to score many points. Coach [Liam] Coen hammered that after practice, said we’ve got to be disciplined. We’ve got to snap it up a little bit. That’s football. You have great days and days that aren’t up to your standard.”
Luke Fortner on learning from veteran Robert Hainsey
”He uses his hands very well and having him to help this offense has been tremendous. Coach Coen’s got a lot going on and to have [Hainsey] there as a resource has been awesome.”
Luke Fortner on the OL being criticized
”No one likes being told they’re the issue. I think guys use that as motivation, for sure. At the same time, you’ve got to be listening to your coaches and what the film tells you.”
Luke Fortner on competition for his job
”You’ve got the best in the world competing out here on this field, offense and defense, whether it’s the guy you’re playing against or the guy you’re playing next to. But … everyone being such great people, once you step off the field, we’re all friends.”
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars on the Spot: Center Luke Fortner facing another veteran challenge
Category: Football
