Noah Fant Lands With Joe Burrow

Fant had gotten some interest around the NFL since being released earlier in July, meeting with the Bengals, Miami Dolphins, and New Orleans Saints. He ended up signing in Cincinnati, joining quarterback Joe Burrow and a talented tight end room.

As ESPN’s Ben Baby noted, Fant will likely be competing with another talented tight end for targets.

“He joins a crowded tight ends room that features veterans Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample as the top options,” Baby wrote. “Gesicki is the team’s primary pass-catching tight end, while Sample has long been valued for his contributions in the run game. This offseason, Gesicki signed a three-year deal with the Bengals worth $25.5 million.”

Fant came into the NFL in 2019, spending his first three seasons with the Denver Broncos before coming to Seattle as part of the Russell Wilson trade. He has been a consistent performer, racking up 48 receptions for 500 yards and one touchdown last season.

Fant’s release was seen mostly as a cap-cutting move, saving the team $8.91 million against the salary cap. But it also leaves a hole in the team’s tight end group.

Seahawks Shaking Up Their Offense

Fant’s departure from Seattle marked the latest piece of a major overhaul of the offense that began early in the offseason. The Seahawks traded veteran quarterback Geno Smith and signed highly sought-after free agent Sam Darnold, hoping he will replicate his turnaround season with the Minnesota Vikings in 2024.

The Seahawks also parted ways with receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett.

There could be even more changes coming as the season progresses. Some analysts believe that Darnold will have a tenuous hold on the starting spot, facing a big challenge from rookie Jalen Milroe.

Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay put Darnold on the list of quarterbacks most likely to be benched at some point this season, noting that he is still surrounded by questions of whether he can replicate the only elite season of his career.

“While Darnold had a relatively strong season with the Minnesota Vikings, the decision could come back to haunt the Seahawks,” Kay wrote. “Prior to his breakout campaign in the Twin Cities, the 28-year-old had spent time with three different clubs over the first six years of his career and failed to distinguish himself with any.”

Darnold could also struggle in Seattle, which has made a shift toward a more defensive-oriented approach.

“Factor in the coaching switch from Kevin O’Connell—a renowned quarterbacks whisperer—to Mike Macdonald, a defensive-oriented head coach, and there’s a real chance Darnold returns to being a subpar starter in 2025,” Kay wrote.