Seahawks Predicted To Ship Off Former 1st Rounder To The AFC

The Seattle Seahawks are more likely to be sellers than buyers at this point in their roster cycle. In year two of head coach, Mike McDonald’s tenure, the Pacific North West’s sole representatives will be looking to secure a playoff berth after just falling short in 2024, despite accumulating an impressive 10-7 record.

However, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin believes that they could offload one of their starting offensive weapons, tight end, Noah Fant, after drafting Miami’s Elijah Arroyo in the second round of April’s draft.

“Even after securing [DK] Metcalf as their new No. 1 wideout, the Steelers have reportedly been sniffing around for pass catchers,” Benjamin writes, “in part to replace the gifted but volatile Pickens,. And Fant — more so than, say, the Atlanta Falcons’ Kyle Pitts — would seem to be readily available in Seattle.

The Seahawks spent a second-round draft pick on fellow tight end Elijah Arroyo, whose athleticism could quickly vault him into a starting role, and trading Fant would save the team close to $9 million in 2025, the last year of the veteran’s deal. As a bonus, Fant previously spent three years working alongside current Steelers assistant Zach Azzanni in Denver.”

Seahawks Could Look To Move Off Former First Round TE

Arroyo, alongside 2024 fourth round pick, AJ Barner, could become the new leaders of an increasingly young Seahawks tight end group.

Fant was traded to Seattle from the Broncos back in 2022 as part of the Russell Wilson trade. Whilst he has been solid, he has not quite managed to put up the same numbers as he did back in Denver – with all three of his top years by receiving yards coming in Colorado.

In fact, since his move, Fant has not managed to surpass the 500 receiving yard mark. And he has never been a major red zone threat, with the former Iowa TE never obtaining more than 4 touchdowns in any of his six seasons in professional football.

$9 million is a solid amount of money to save on a tight end, especially for a team like Seattle who is paying quarterback, Sam Darnold, a healthy amount to be the starter in 2025 and beyond.

What Would It Take For Seattle To Move Off Noah Fant?

In all likelihood, not a vast amount.

Now, the Seahawks aren’t prepared to just give him away. Nor is this a Cooper Kupp/Jaire Alexander situation, where the franchise is planning to release him if they cannot agree upon a restructured contract or trade agreement – Fant’s cap his of $13 million for this upcoming year is far from exorbitant, even considering his non-elite production over the past few seasons.

So the Steelers would likely not have to break the bank to acquire the former Bronco, provided they agree to take on the bulk of the financial responsibility of the last year of his 2 year, $21 million deal signed last March.

This win-win situation allows Pittsburgh to run more 12-personnel formations alongside fellow tight end, Pat Freiermuth, and gives Seattle the opportunity to cash in on their veteran asset before he hits the open market in less than a year’s time.

Pittsburgh Steelers receive: Noah Fant, 2026 seventh round pick

Seattle Seahawks receive: 2026 fifth round pick.