The Cincinnati Bengals are not wasting time as they prepare for what many believe could be a defining season in the Joe Burrow era. With the window for contention wide open and expectations soaring, the front office has made a decisive move to reinforce its offensive arsenal. According to multiple reports, the Bengals are set to sign free-agent tight end Noah Fant, a former first-round pick and dynamic pass-catching weapon who has spent time with both the Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks. This move signals not only a commitment to surrounding Burrow with as many weapons as possible but also a serious recognition that the tight end position has been a revolving door in Cincinnati for far too long. By bringing in Fant, the Bengals are banking on untapped potential and explosive upside, and the timing could not be better.
Noah Fant entered the NFL with high expectations after a standout career at the University of Iowa, a program well-known for producing elite tight end talent. Drafted 20th overall in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Broncos, Fant quickly showed glimpses of being a mismatch nightmare for opposing defenses. His combination of speed, athleticism, and hands made him a difficult cover for linebackers and safeties alike. In his rookie season, he caught 40 passes for 562 yards and three touchdowns—numbers that impressed despite Denver’s inconsistent quarterback situation. In the years that followed, Fant continued to produce solid numbers, including a 68-catch, 670-yard, four-touchdown campaign in 2021. But the carousel of quarterbacks, changing offensive coordinators, and team instability seemed to cap his potential.
The trade that sent him to Seattle as part of the Russell Wilson deal appeared to offer a fresh start. With the Seahawks, however, Fant was often used as part of a committee rather than the focal point of the offense. Despite limited targets, he remained efficient when called upon, and his presence in both the blocking game and red zone situations gave him value beyond just box score stats. But by the end of his stint in Seattle, it was clear he hadn’t quite reached the ceiling many projected for him coming out of college. Now, entering what many consider the prime of his career, Fant finds himself with an opportunity that could redefine how he is viewed in the league.
For the Bengals, the signing of Fant addresses a long-standing issue. The tight end position in Cincinnati has lacked consistency since the departure of Tyler Eifert, who last played a full season with the team in 2015. Since then, the Bengals have used a patchwork approach—signing veterans to short-term deals and relying on unproven talent to fill the void. Most recently, Irv Smith Jr. was brought in for the 2023 season, but injuries and inconsistency once again plagued the position. The Bengals have one of the league’s best receiving corps in Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd, but a high-caliber tight end could be the key to unlocking a new level of efficiency and unpredictability in the offense.
That’s where Noah Fant comes in. With his ability to stretch the field vertically, work the seams, and serve as a reliable target in play-action sets, he gives offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher a versatile chess piece. Unlike past tight ends the Bengals have cycled through, Fant has the athletic pedigree and experience to be more than just a safety valve for Burrow. He can be a featured component, especially in red zone sets where his 6-foot-4 frame and leaping ability will make him a favorite target. For Burrow, who has made a name for himself by spreading the ball around and trusting his playmakers, Fant represents both a luxury and a potential breakout partner.
The move also comes with strategic foresight. With Higgins entering a contract year and the likelihood that the Bengals won’t be able to afford all three of their top receivers much longer, preparing for a possible shift in offensive distribution makes sense. If Fant can become a reliable second or third option in the passing game, he not only gives Burrow another trusted weapon but also helps cushion the potential departure of a key receiver. It’s no secret that NFL offenses evolve rapidly, and the Bengals are ensuring that they are not caught unprepared. Fant’s arrival may not be the flashiest move of the offseason, but it could prove to be one of the most impactful if leveraged correctly.
There’s also a leadership angle here. Fant may only be 27, but his experience in two different systems, his exposure to playoff football, and his battle-tested mentality make him a valuable locker-room presence. The Bengals are still a young team in many respects, and while their core—led by Burrow, Chase, and defensive stars like Trey Hendrickson—is as talented as any in the league, the addition of veterans who know how to navigate adversity is critical. Fant has been through the highs of expectation and the lows of system misfits, and that kind of perspective can be crucial in a locker room with Super Bowl ambitions.
Additionally, Fant fits in culturally. The Bengals have made it a point in recent years to bring in players who align with their team-first ethos and who don’t shy away from high-stakes moments. Burrow’s own poise and leadership have become a cornerstone of the Bengals’ identity, and any new piece added to the puzzle must mesh with that philosophy. Reports suggest Fant was courted by multiple teams, but the chance to play with Burrow—and to join a team on the cusp of something special—was a major draw. It’s also worth noting that his contract is expected to be team-friendly, offering flexibility in future negotiations with other key pieces on the roster.
From a schematic standpoint, Fant adds another layer of complexity to an offense that thrives on mismatches. Line him up in the slot, put him in motion pre-snap, or split him out wide against a nickel cornerback—the options are plentiful. His presence should also help the run game, where his size and willingness to block can provide a boost on the edge. While he may not be the most dominant inline blocker in the league, he’s more than serviceable, and in certain sets, he’ll allow the Bengals to run more two-tight-end formations, which could be invaluable in short-yardage situations and late-game clock management.
This signing also speaks volumes about the organization’s trust in Burrow as not just a player but a franchise-defining leader. By continuing to invest in offensive weapons, the Bengals are making it clear that they are building around their star quarterback with purpose. In an AFC loaded with elite quarterbacks—from Patrick Mahomes to Josh Allen to Lamar Jackson—every edge matters. And in today’s NFL, having a tight end who can create matchup problems and serve as a legitimate receiving threat is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. With Fant, the Bengals have taken a step toward meeting that demand head-on.
Fans will naturally be excited about the potential of this pairing, but the real excitement may lie in how Fant’s presence shifts the defensive calculus for opponents. Safeties can’t cheat toward Chase’s side as easily if Fant is eating up the middle of the field. Linebackers will have to be more cautious in zone coverage. And defensive coordinators may find it increasingly difficult to disguise blitzes if Burrow has yet another outlet who can win one-on-one battles in space. In short, Fant’s impact might extend far beyond his personal stat line. His success could open doors for others.
There’s also the continuity factor. One of the reasons Burrow has flourished so quickly in the NFL is because of the chemistry he builds with his receivers. With a full offseason, training camp, and preseason to work with Fant, there’s a legitimate opportunity for that same connection to form. And once Burrow trusts a target, history shows he goes to them early and often—just ask Chase, Higgins, or Boyd. If Fant puts in the work, he could quickly become a staple in the Bengals’ passing game, not just in 2025 but for years to come.
Of course, this move doesn’t come without risks. Fant has yet to play a full 17-game season, and injuries have limited his availability at times. There’s also the question of how he’ll adapt to yet another offensive system and what his role will look like in a crowded group of playmakers. But the upside is undeniable. In a league where the tight end position is being redefined by players like Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Mark Andrews, the Bengals are hoping Fant can enter that next tier and provide the kind of production that changes games.
Ultimately, this move underscores a central theme in Cincinnati’s approach to roster building: they are no longer content with just making the playoffs or winning a division title. The goal is a championship. Every piece added to the puzzle is judged by how it brings the team closer to that goal. In signing Noah Fant, the Bengals aren’t just adding a tight end—they’re adding a potential difference-maker. And with Burrow at the helm, those kinds of investments often pay off. This could be the move that elevates the Bengals from contenders to champions.
