In a purely money-based decision, the Seattle Seahawks cut ties with former Hawkeye tight end Noah Fant in July.
If the Seahawks picked up Fant's fourth year option, they would have owed him $8.9 million next season, and they avoided that salary cap hit by releasing him.
Fant spent the past three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks after being a part of the blockbuster trade with the Denver Broncos for quarterback Russell Wilson.
Wilson went to the Broncos, and eight players went to the Seahawks as part of the mega trade in the spring of 2022.
After spending a short time on the free agent market, Fant found a new home in Cincinnati.
Fant was one of two Iowa tight ends along with T.J. Hockenson to be drafted in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
We have signed free agent TE Noah Fant.
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) July 31, 2025
📰: https://t.co/Avo7laCikp pic.twitter.com/rff4d6WtWF
The Cincinnati Bengals announced they were signing Fant to a one-year contract and adding another solid contributor to their already high-powered offense.
Fant joins a Bengals' tight end room that has Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, and another former Iowa tight end, Erick All. Gesicki served as the team's primary catching tight end while Sample was used mainly for blocking.
Fellow former Iowa tight end Erik All is current on the physically unable to perform list after tearing his ACL last season.
Fant has been productive during his six-year NFL career, and gives the Bengals' offense and quarterback Joe Burrow another weapon in the passing game
During his career with the Denver Broncos and the Seattle Seahawks, Fant has amassed 3,305 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns on 300 receptions.