Saints get a win on their bye week following latest AFC news that connects to notable offseason trade
The New Orleans Saints got a victory entering their bye week, and the latest AFC news sparks another, different sort of win for them with the week off the football field. A trade they made earlier this year looks like a triumph when it comes to value in the short-term, and potential long-term as well.
Jaguars release Khalen Saunders after earlier trade with Saints
According to reports, veteran defensive lineman Khalen Saunders is headed to waivers. The Jaguars released him on Thursday morning. Saunders appeared in just two total games for Jacksonville and totaled three tackles after joining the team in a trade with the Saints.
Luke Fortner playing well as new starter following injuries
Losing Erik McCoy was a massive blow to the upside of the Saints offense. That being said, the return in the Saunders trade has actually played well since entering the starting lineup. Via Pro Football Focus, Fortner has recorded a 76.7 overall grade - good for 8th in the NFL at the center position. Additionally, his pass protection has been elite with an 82.7 grade (3rd in the NFL at center).
The top NFL centers in Week 10, according to PFSN's Player OL Impact Metric ⤵
86.8 | Tanor Bortolini, Colts
83.6 | Drew Dalman, Bears
81.3 | Coleman Shelton, Rams
81.3 | Olu Oluwatimi, Seahawks
81.2 | Luke Fortner, Saints
80.8 | Graham Barton, Buccaneers
79.9 | Jordan Meredith,… pic.twitter.com/2RVf8t0b1D
— PFSN (@PFSN365) November 12, 2025
"Fortner trade was a good and quietly important move for the Saints. Great insurance policy at center and -- so far -- has kept the offense from cratering the way it has in the past when McCoy got hurt."
-- Nick Underhill
When the deal happened, some fans weren't happy with trading the veteran defender in Saunders, but it has ultimately made a lot more sense for New Orleans' side. Saunders' snaps were going to decrease with the emergence of Bryan Bresee and the presence of Nathan Shepherd.
Plus, the Saints had just invested in rookie DT Vernon Broughton during the draft. He suffered a season-ending injury early in the season, but that was impossible to predict for the Saints. As for Fortner's role, he provided backup depth at every interior OL position.
Considering how many offensive line injuries the Saints have dealt with this season, that has become vital for them. With him playing well now, it seems like this admission from the Jaguars proves New Orleans made the correct decision in moving on from Saunders.
Former Packers Star Jaire Alexander Announces He’s Stepping Away From Football After Realizing He Can’t Play for Any Team Other Than Green Bay
Green Bay, WI – November 12, 2025
In an emotional and heartfelt announcement, former Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander has revealed that he is stepping away from the game, citing an inability to play for any team other than the Packers. The news has sent shockwaves through the football world, as Alexander’s decision to retire at just 28 years old marks the end of a promising career that could have spanned much longer.
Once the emotional cornerstone of Green Bay's defense, Alexander’s career took a rocky turn after leaving the Packers. After his time in Green Bay, where he became a two-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro cornerback, Alexander briefly joined the
A Difficult Transition
Sources close to Alexander report that his struggles with adjusting to new locker rooms and team dynamics were more significant than anyone expected. The Packers had been Alexander’s home since the beginning of his career, and it seems no other environment could match the emotional connection he felt in Green Bay.
Alexander's time with the Ravens and Eagles was marked by disappointment. He struggled to find rhythm within both teams’ defensive schemes, and his passion for the game gradually waned. According to close friends, Alexander privately admitted to teammates that his “mind wasn’t in it anymore” and that the locker rooms he encountered lacked the same camaraderie and energy he had in Green Bay.
“My Heart Isn’t in It”
Alexander’s decision to step away is driven less by his performance, which remains at an elite level, and more by the emotional toll of not feeling connected to the teams he played for. Speaking candidly with friends, Alexander said,
At just 28 years old, Alexander still had the ability to dominate as one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. However, the emotional and mental fatigue of playing for teams he couldn’t connect with led him to make the difficult decision to walk away from football. It’s clear that Alexander’s heart will always belong to Green Bay, and it’s a reminder that the personal side of the game—relationships with teammates, coaches, and the city—matters just as much as the X’s and O’s.
A Deep Loss for Packers Fans
For Packers fans, Alexander’s departure is a painful reminder that not all stories in the NFL have happy endings. While some players are built for the business side of football—trades, contracts, and new beginnings—others, like Alexander, find themselves deeply attached to the teams that first believed in them. The bond between Alexander and Green Bay was palpable during his time in Wisconsin, and it’s clear that no other environment could replicate that connection.
Though Alexander’s career may have been cut short, his legacy in Green Bay will never be forgotten. For years to come, Packers fans will remember him as a fearless leader in the secondary, a player who could shut down the best receivers in the game and spark the energy of the entire defense. His decision to retire leaves a hole in the Packers’ defense, but more importantly, it leaves a reminder that sometimes, it’s not just about the game—it’s about where you belong.
As Alexander steps away from football, he will take time to focus on his mental and physical recovery. Whether his retirement is permanent remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: for Jaire Alexander,
