The New Orleans Saints have reached an agreement with former Cincinnati Bengals tight end Noah Fant on a two-year contract, aiming to enhance their offense as they build around quarterback Tyler Shough. This move follows an earlier deal with ex-Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, signaling the Saints’ intent to assemble a balanced group of playmakers.
Fant, 28, will be joining the Saints as his fourth NFL team. He is expected to serve as the secondary tight end behind Juwan Johnson, bringing size and blocking ability that could bolster the team’s passing and rushing strategies.
Noah Fant’s Experience and Potential Impact with the Saints
Last season, Fant experienced his most limited production in seven NFL years, catching 34 passes and accumulating a career-low 288 yards with Cincinnati, though he did secure three touchdowns—the highest since 2022. Earlier in his career with the Denver Broncos, Fant showed glimpses of being a possible 1,000-yard receiver despite inconsistent quarterback play. His peak came in 2020 when he recorded 673 yards.
Following his time in Denver, Fant played three seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, mostly as a tertiary target behind Geno Smith, and last year’s performance led the Bengals’ tight ends by just a small margin, slightly behind Mike Gesicki. At 6-foot-4 and 249 pounds, Fant has the physical tools to be a significant contributor on the field, though a full breakout during his age-29 season may be unlikely given Juwan Johnson’s expected role as the primary tight end option.
What Fant’s Signing Means for the Saints’ Offense and Next Steps
Adding a veteran tight end with upside like Fant gives the Saints valuable depth as they aim to improve in the NFC South, a division where no team posted a winning record last season. With Tyler Shough’s continued development and the right mix of skill players around him, the Saints’ offense could become one of the most balanced units in the division, leveraging Fant’s versatility as both a receiver and blocker to complement Johnson’s target share.
Another weapon for the Saints: They’ve agreed to terms with Noah Fant on a two-year deal, sources tell me and @RapSheet. pic.twitter.com/ht7T951lBz
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 9, 2026
