Noah Fant’s surprising release from the Seattle Seahawks this offseason had fans and analysts questioning the team’s direction. On Monday, general manager John Schneider pulled back the curtain on what drove the move — and it came down to tough financial decisions.
“He works his tail off, he can run. He’s a good tight end, and he’ll have a very nice, productive year this year,” Schneider said, via The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar. “We just felt like… can we use that cash to help our team in a different manner?”
Fant, who was traded to Seattle as part of the blockbuster Russell Wilson deal in 2022, had become a reliable piece in the Seahawks’ offense. But with a projected salary the team felt could be better spent elsewhere, Schneider and the front office chose to let him walk. He signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals worth up to $4.25 million, according to ESPN’s Field Yates.
In explaining the choice, Schneider emphasized the organization’s confidence in its depth at tight end following a strong offseason from the position group.
“Are we OK at that position? While we never feel like we’re totally covered, guys did have very strong springs,” he added.
The Bengals, meanwhile, wasted no time capitalizing. After re-signing veteran Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati added Fant to give quarterback Joe Burrow a reliable two-tight end setup — something that’s been missing during the early years of his tenure. Fant joins an offense that’s aiming for greater balance and explosiveness in 2025.
The Seahawks’ decision to part ways wasn’t about performance — it was about value and fit. And for Fant, the fresh start in Cincinnati could turn into an ideal landing spot as he looks to rebound on a prove-it deal in a Super Bowl-caliber offense.