Last year, the Cincinnati Bengals had the NFL’s best passing attack behind Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. Unfortunately, its defense was subpar, so the 9-8 Bengals missed out on the postseason. As a result, the team added a few pieces on defense and is attempting to fortify the guard position on the offensive line. One underrated aspect of the roster is tight end. Currently, Mike Gesicki and Drew Sample sit atop the depth chart with Tanner Hudson and Cam Grandy rounding out the room.
A recently-released former first-round pick has been added, however. On Thursday, Noah Fant, after also visiting the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins, signed a one-year contract, giving Burrow another pass-catching option in an already loaded offense.
Noah Fant, Bengals Agree to One-Year Deal
Fant was a first-round selection of the Denver Broncos out of Iowa in 2019. as a rookie, Fant accounted for 562 yards and three touchdowns off 40 receptions for the Broncos. He put up a pair of 100-yard performances. In the following season, he added to his totals with 673 yards and three scores off 63 catches. 2021 was his final season with the Broncos, and he amassed another 670 yards and four touchdowns off 68 receptions.
Then, Fant was part of the trade that sent Russell Wilson to Denver. Fant, two first-round picks, two second-round picks, a fifth-round pick, Shelby Harris, and Drew Lock went from Denver to Seattle for a fourth-round pick and Wilson.
In the Seahawks’ system, Fant was not as productive. In his first season in 2022, Fant totalled 486 yards and four touchdowns off 50 receptions. 2023 was his first scoreless season, as he managed 414 yards off 32 catches. Last year, in 14 games, Fant amassed 500 yards and one touchdown off 48 receptions.
His Impact for Cincinnati
The Bengals are getting a low-risk, high (ish)-reward tight end in Fant. In the Burrow era, the Bengals have repeatedly just signed tight ends on one-year deals to see if anyone could stick. Gesicki was brought back (at Burrow’s request), however.
As a response, Cincinnati cut loose one of the bottom-of-the-depth-chart tight ends and now has six bodies: Sample, Gesicki, Fant, Hudson, Grandy, and Tanner McLachlan. Additionally, Erick All, last year’s fourth-round pick, will miss the entire season after suffering a setback in his ACL rehab.
Fant is a solid option for an already loaded offense. He could give the Bengals another big mismatch with Gesicki, but neither will supplant Sample’s role as the blocking tight end. In reality, Fant will be battling with Hudson and Grandy for the TE3 role. He should be able to win the job, but if he doesn’t, the Bengals should not be out much.
Imagine a formation with Chase, Higgins, Jermaine Burton/Andrei Iosivas, Gesicki, and Fant.
Main Image: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
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