CINCINNATI, OH – Veteran tight end Noah Fant has quickly found a new home, signing with the Cincinnati Bengals just weeks after his unexpected release from the Seattle Seahawks. The move, reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, brings a proven playmaker to a Bengals offense already loaded with talent.
Fant, 27, was released by the Seahawks in a cost-cutting measure after the team drafted tight end Elijah Arroyo in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The move saved Seattle roughly $9 million, despite the team having signed Fant to a two-year, $21 million contract extension just a few months earlier in March 2024.
A former first-round pick (No. 20 overall) by the Denver Broncos in 2019, Fant has been a consistent presence in the passing game throughout his career. He has surpassed 500 receiving yards in four of his six seasons. Last year, he recorded 48 receptions for 500 yards and one touchdown with the Seahawks. His career totals stand at 300 catches for 3,305 yards and 15 touchdowns across 95 games.
Fant was originally traded to the Seahawks in 2022 as part of the blockbuster deal that sent quarterback Russell Wilson to the Broncos. In Cincinnati, he will join a tight end room that includes Mike Gesicki, Tanner Hudson, Drew Sample, and others, providing a veteran presence and a strong pass-catching option for quarterback Joe Burrow.
The addition of Fant addresses a potential need for the Bengals, particularly following an injury to tight end Erick All, a fourth-round pick from the 2024 NFL Draft who is expected to miss the entire season. Fant’s signing gives the Bengals another dynamic threat in their already potent offense.