Noah Fant Finds New Home with Cincinnati Bengals Following Seahawks Release

Significant Career Transition

The Seattle Seahawks made headlines by releasing veteran tight end Noah Fant ahead of their training camp. This ‘cap casualty’ decision, as explained by John Schneider, didn’t leave Fant unemployed for long, as he quickly agreed to terms with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Financial Implications and Performance History

Fant’s previous contract with the Seahawks placed him among the highest-paid tight ends in the NFL, with his $13.41 million cap charge for 2025 ranking eighth highest at his position. This included an $8.49 million non-guaranteed base salary and $510,000 in per-game roster bonuses.

During his final season with the Seahawks in 2024, Fant recorded 48 receptions for 500 receiving yards and made a significant impact by catching the game-winning touchdown in the season finale against the Rams.

Future Prospects with Bengals

While his new contract with the Bengals isn’t at the veteran’s minimum, it’s not a substantial deal either. The agreement includes incentives that could push the total value to over $4 million, though this still represents less than half of what he was scheduled to make with the Seahawks in 2025.

Impact on Both Teams

The Seahawks’ decision to part ways with Fant was influenced by his outsized contract and production levels over three seasons, particularly following their selection of tight end Elijah Arroyo in the second round of the draft. In Cincinnati, Fant is expected to provide depth in the tight end rotation and could see increased opportunities if Mike Gesicki misses any time.