Noah Fant Finds New Home with Bengals Following Surprise Seahawks Release

Seahawks Part Ways with Veteran Tight End

The Seattle Seahawks have released veteran tight end Noah Fant, marking the end of his three-year tenure with the team after arriving as part of the 2022 Russell Wilson trade with the Denver Broncos.

The decision comes as a significant financial move, as Fant was owed $8.49 million in non-guaranteed salary, plus $510,000 in per-game roster bonuses, and a $4.5 million signing bonus. His total cap number of $13,410,000 was notably high, second only to Leonard Williams on the entire Seahawks roster.

Performance and Impact

During his time in Seattle, Fant’s performance placed him 20th among tight ends in receptions (130), 21st in receiving yards (1,400), and tied for 38th in touchdowns (five). His final touchdown for the Seahawks came in the 2024 season finale, marking his first score since late 2022. In comparison, rookie AJ Barner managed to score four touchdowns in the 2024 season alone.

New Opportunity with Bengals

Following what Seahawks GM John Schneider described as a ‘cap casualty’ decision, Fant quickly found a new home with the Cincinnati Bengals, signing a one-year contract. While not at the veterans minimum, the deal is considerably more modest than his previous contract, with incentives potentially pushing the value north of $4 million – still less than half of what he was scheduled to make with the Seahawks in 2025.

The move comes after uncertainty about Fant’s future with the Seahawks had grown due to his outsized contract and underwhelming production, particularly following the team’s selection of tight end Elijah Arroyo in the second round of the 2025 draft.