The NFL offseason is basically a high-stakes game of musical chairs played by giants in suits and cleats. Sometimes, a player and a team seem like a perfect match on paper, but the music stops and everyone just stays put. That was the vibe surrounding the Noah Fant Saints free agent visit.
It’s easy to forget now, but back in late July 2025, the New Orleans Saints were in a bit of a panic. Their tight end room, which usually looks like a Swiss Army knife of versatility, was suddenly looking more like a butter knife. Taysom Hill was recovering from a brutal December ACL tear. Foster Moreau was sidelined. Juwan Johnson was essentially the only guy left standing who had ever caught a meaningful NFL pass.
So, they called the fastest tight end in the 2019 draft class.
The Logistics of the Noah Fant Saints Free Agent Visit
Noah Fant didn't just wake up in New Orleans. His journey to the Big Easy was actually the second stop on a mini-tour of the AFC and NFC.
He had just come off a "positive" meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals. Jordan Schultz, a guy who usually has his pulse on these things, reported that Fant was "exploring a multitude of options." Basically, he was testing the waters after being a surprise late-summer release by the Seattle Seahawks.
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When he landed in New Orleans, the expectations were high. Fans were already picturing Fant stretching the seam while Juwan Johnson worked the underneath routes. Juwan himself was all-in. He even went on record saying Fant could add "a lot of explosiveness" and compared the potential duo to the Gronk and Aaron Hernandez pairing—strictly in terms of on-field production, obviously.
Why the Saints Were Interested
The Saints under then-offensive coordinator Kellen Moore were obsessed with multi-TE sets. They ranked near the top of the league in 12 and 13 personnel. You can't run those sets with one healthy body. Fant brought:
- First-round pedigree: You don't lose that 4.5 speed just because you change zip codes.
- Proven Production: He was coming off a 2024 season with 48 catches and 500 yards in Seattle.
- Youth: At 28 years old, he wasn't a "washed" veteran looking for a final paycheck; he was in his prime.
What Actually Happened During the Visit?
Here is where the trail usually goes cold in NFL reporting. We know the visit happened. We know he met with the coaching staff and likely did a physical. But he didn't sign.
Instead, Fant headed back to the Midwest and signed a one-year, $2.75 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.
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Why did he leave New Orleans without a contract? Honestly, it usually comes down to two things: the cap and the role. The Saints were already staring at a nightmare cap situation—something like $87 million in dead money following Derek Carr’s retirement. They couldn't exactly get into a bidding war, even for a player they liked.
Furthermore, the Bengals offered a more direct path to targets with Joe Burrow. In New Orleans, the QB situation was a bit of a question mark with Spencer Rattler and Tyler Shough battling it out. Fant chose the proven passer over the Big Easy lifestyle.
The Aftermath: Was it a Missed Opportunity?
Looking back at the 2025 season, the Saints might have a bit of "buyer's remorse"—or rather, "non-buyer's remorse."
Fant went on to have a decent, if slightly chaotic, year in Cincinnati. He hauled in 34 receptions and 3 touchdowns, triggering a $250,000 incentive in his contract. But he also had a bizarre streak of three fumbles that were returned for touchdowns.
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Meanwhile, the Saints struggled with consistency at the position. While Juwan Johnson performed well, the lack of a secondary vertical threat at tight end made the offense predictable. They ended up relying heavily on rookies and scrap-heap additions like Jack Stoll to fill the void.
Current State of the Saints Tight End Room (2026)
As we head into the 2026 offseason, the Saints are still looking for that "explosive" piece.
- Juwan Johnson: Still the alpha, but entering another contract year.
- Taysom Hill: Recovering from a more recent AC joint injury; his age is becoming a factor.
- Moliki Matavao: The young gun who showed flashes in 2025 but isn't a proven TE1 yet.
- The "Ghost" of Noah Fant: He’s a free agent again in 2026. The Bengals are undecided on bringing him back after those fumbles.
Actionable Insights for Saints Fans and Analysts
If you're tracking the Saints' roster moves this spring, the Noah Fant Saints free agent visit serves as a blueprint for what the front office wants. They aren't looking for just a blocker. They want a "safety blanket" who can run like a wideout.
What to watch for next:
- Monitor the Bengals' Retainers: If Cincinnati lets Fant walk (again), don't be surprised if Mickey Loomis picks up the phone. The price tag will be lower this time.
- Draft Focus: If the Saints don't go after a veteran like Fant, keep an eye on the early rounds of the 2026 Draft. They need a player with 4.5 or 4.6 speed to balance the middle of the field.
- Cap Adjustments: Watch for restructures in the contracts of Carl Granderson or Chris Olave. That’s the only way they’ll have the "fun money" required to bring in a veteran playmaker.
The visit in 2025 didn't result in a jersey, but it proved the Saints know they have a hole in the offense. Whether they fill it with Fant in 2026 or a younger version of him in the draft, the "tight end as a weapon" philosophy isn't going anywhere.