A former Seattle Seahawks playmaker may be finding a new home days after the franchise abruptly cut the veteran ahead of training camp. Former Seahawks tight end Noah Fant is searching for a new team and appears to have no shortage of suitors.
Fant visited the Cincinnati Bengals, a potential AFC contender and could soon be catching touchdown passes from Joe Burrow. Additionally, the New Orleans Saints hosted Fant following his release by the Seahawks.
“Sources: Free agent TE Noah Fant is scheduled to visit the Saints after meeting with the Bengals yesterday,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz detailed in a July 25, 2025. “His visit in Cincinnati was described as ‘positive,’ and both sides plan to stay in touch — but Fant is continuing to explore a multitude of options.”
Mike Macdonald on the Seahawks Releasing Noah Fant: ‘I’m Not Going to Tell You Exactly Why’
If the Seahawks had a preference, it would likely be for Fant to return to the AFC versus joining a potential NFC foe like the Saints. Seattle has been mum on why Fant was released as well as the timing of the tight end being cut.
Traditionally, teams make cap savings cuts during NFL free agency. Macdonald became a bit testy when asked about the odd timing of Fant’s release.
“I didn’t have any conversations with him,” Macdonald said of Fant, per Sports Illustrated. “It’s just understood that [it’s] what we’re trying to achieve as a football team.
“We love Noah, wish him the best, but we also love the guys that are still here, and they know what’s at stake. It’s going to be a lot of fun to watch that competition in the tight end room,” Macdonald added.
“… We just released him a few days ago. I’m not going to tell you exactly why; there’s multiple reasons.”
AJ Barner & Elijah Arroyo Are Among Those Fighting To Be the New Seahawks Starting Tight End
The move opens up an expanded opportunity for rookie Elijah Arroyo. Additionally, returning tight end AJ Barner has a chance to win the starting role given Fant’s release appears to have opened up a competition at the position.
The Seahawks have held one day of training camp and it’s already obvious why they felt comfortable moving on from Noah Fant pic.twitter.com/hAS5OVPURX
— Kole Musgrove (@KoleMusgrove23) July 24, 2025
Releasing Fant allowed Seattle to move on from the final season of Fant’s two-year, $21 million contract. Yet, it remains to be seen what, if anything, the Seahawks will do with this additional cap space.
The Bengals Could Make a Lot of Sense for Ex-Seahawks TE Noah Fant
As for Fant, playing alongside Ja’Marr Chase while catching passes from Burrow could make a lot of sense. Chase reflected on Fant’s visit to Cincinnati but did not indicate how close the veteran is to signing with the Bengals.
“I mean, but I can only say so much to him to make him come here,” Chase told reporters on July 24, 2025. “At the end of the day, it’s not his decision. Well, it might really be his decision.
“So, at the end of the day, he knows what we have here. I know he sees the schemes. I know he might like the schemes. So, I mean, that’s why he come take the visit.”
