Seahawks Release Noah Fant, Clearing Way for Young Talent

Veteran Tight End’s Departure Signals Shift in Team’s Offensive Strategy

The Seattle Seahawks have cut ties with veteran tight end Noah Fant just days before training camp commences. This move signals a significant shift in the team’s approach at the tight end position and impacts their salary cap outlook.

The End of the Fant Experiment

Acquired in the high-profile 2022 trade that sent Russell Wilson to Denver, Fant arrived in Seattle with considerable fanfare. A first-round talent in 2019, he had demonstrated impressive receiving ability with the Broncos, amassing 1,905 yards and 10 touchdowns in his initial three seasons. His back-to-back 600-yard campaigns placed him among the league’s elite tight ends, a feat rarely achieved by Seahawks tight ends.

However, Fant‘s tenure in Seattle failed to match his previous production. Over three seasons, he recorded 1,400 receiving yards and five touchdowns, never surpassing 500 yards in a single season. Notably, he endured a 32-game touchdown drought spanning from late 2022 to the 2024 regular-season finale. His blocking also drew criticism, as he ranked 67th out of 74 tight ends in Pro Football Focus run block grades last season.

Despite the potential for new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to revitalize Fant‘s career, especially given Kubiak‘s history of featuring tight ends in his offense, the financial reality became untenable. With a $13.41 million salary cap hit slated for the upcoming season, Fant‘s contract was the second-largest on the Seahawks’ books and among the top eight for NFL tight ends. This salary, coupled with the emergence of promising younger players, ultimately led to the decision to move on.

A Vote of Confidence for Rising Stars

The Seahawks’ decision to release Fant underscores their confidence in emerging talents Elijah Arroyo and AJ Barner. Arroyo, a second-round pick in the 2024 draft, possesses exceptional speed and athleticism for his 6-foot-5, 254-pound frame, profiling as a potent field-stretching tight end. At the University of Miami, he posted 35 catches for 590 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging an impressive 16.9 yards per reception.

Arroyo also showcased positional versatility, lining up in the slot for nearly 40% of his snaps last season. While his blocking remains a question mark, he graded well in that area, ranking 72nd out of 437 FBS tight ends in PFF run block grades. A knee injury hampered his 2022 and 2023 seasons, potentially affecting his draft status.

Barner, a fourth-round selection from Michigan, made an immediate impact as a rookie in 2024, securing 30 catches for 245 yards and four touchdowns. He ranked among the top rookie tight ends in receiving yards and tied for second in touchdowns. Barner also proved to be a capable blocker, finishing 36th out of 74 tight ends in PFF run block grading.

With Fant‘s departure, the path is now clear for Arroyo and Barner to fully develop and contribute to the Seahawks’ offense.

Opportunity Knocks for Other Tight Ends

Fant‘s release opens up significant opportunities for other tight ends on the roster, including veteran Eric Saubert and undrafted rookie Nick Kallerup. The Seahawks’ offensive scheme, which heavily utilizes multi-tight-end sets under Kubiak, suggests they are likely to carry four tight ends on their 53-man roster.

Saubert, an experienced blocking tight end, is expected to secure one of these spots. His familiarity with Kubiak from their time together in Denver, where he ranked 19th in PFF run block grades, bodes well for his chances. Kallerup, an imposing 6-foot-5, 266-pound prospect from Minnesota, impressed with his blocking, ranking second among FBS tight ends in PFF run block grades last season.

Furthermore, the release of Fant may allow the Seahawks to keep both Robbie Ouzts and Brady Russell, who are competing for the fullback position. Both players, who are converting from tight end, could provide valuable versatility, with Ouzts noted for his agility and Russell recognized for his extensive special teams experience.

Cap Space Freed for Future Moves

The Seahawks have created approximately $8.91 million in salary cap space for the 2025 season by releasing Fant. This move brings their total cap space to around $34.92 million, positioning them sixth in the NFL. This newfound flexibility could be utilized for contract extensions for key players from their strong 2022 draft class, which includes starters like tackles Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas, running back Kenneth Walker III, linebacker Boye Mafe, safety Coby Bryant, and cornerback Riq Woolen.

The additional cap room also provides Seattle with greater flexibility to pursue free agent acquisitions before the season begins, potentially strengthening the roster in areas of need.

In the 2023 NFL season, teams spent an average of $11.5 million on their top tight end, highlighting the financial commitment typically associated with the position. The Seahawks’ decision to move on from Fant, who was set to carry a significant cap number, reflects a strategic reallocation of resources. Spotrac reported the Seahawks’ current 2024 cap space to be over $48 million after various transactions, demonstrating their financial agility.