Seahawks TE Noah Fant named potential cap casualty
Seattle Seahawks veteran tight end Noah Fant was a contributing member to the offense in 2024. The well-traveled pass catcher recorded 48 receptions for 500 receiving yards and a touchdown, surpassing his numbers from 2023. Fant is now scheduled to enter the final year of his contract in 2025.
Fant is slated to carry a hefty cap number of $13.4 million with a base salary of $8.4 million. Pro Football Focus recently identified Fant as a potential offseason salary cap casualty. General manager John Schneider would save $8.9 million against the cap while inheriting a manageable dead money charge of $4.5 million, according to Over The Cap.
Who could be released this offseason?
15 cut candidates:https://t.co/Lm621Ewi3t
— PFF (@PFF) February 22, 2025
'Seattle's offense leaned conspicuously heavily on rookie A.J. Barner last season, which might be an ominous sign of things to come for Fant,' Bradley Locker wrote. 'The 27-year-old turned in a solid 70.2 PFF receiving grade, but his 34.5 PFF pass-blocking mark was the sixth-worst among qualifying tight ends. Given that Fant will be a free agent next offseason and that cutting him would clear $8.9 million, moving on might be the ideal play. After all, Seattle appears likely to keep deploying Barner and could land one of several intriguing tight ends in the draft.'
It's true that Barner impressed as a rookie, totaling 30 receptions for 245 yards and a position-high four touchdowns. The Michigan standout projects to take another developmental step forward as a sophomore in 2025. Releasing Fant would create opportunities for Barner to be Seattle's go-to tight end this coming season.
The 2025 NFL Draft also features a deep pool of tight end prospects. One recent mock draft from CBS has the Seahawks selecting Penn State tight end Tyler Warren in the first round. Schneider could conceivably draft one to pair with Barner, fielding a high-upside duo of rookies on affordable, team-friendly contracts. Fant is at legitimate risk of being released this offseason.
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