The Seattle Seahawks are clearly transferring in a brand new route underneath head coach Mike Macdonald, and that shift now contains the stunning launch of Noah Fant. Throughout a media session this week, the pinnacle coach swiftly shut down questions on Fant’s exit, giving little perception right into a transfer that saved the Seahawks cap area and hinted at a bigger change in roster philosophy.
The Athletic’s Michael-Shawn Dugar spoke instantly with Macdonald and later took to X, previously referred to as Twitter, to share the complete trade in regards to the launch of the former-Broncos tight finish—a transfer that stunned the fan base. Macdonald’s response was blunt and unapologetically imprecise.
“I’m not going to let you know precisely why. There’s a number of causes.”
When pressed additional, he added solely that the discharge had occurred “a couple of days in the past,” declining to elaborate. The shortage of element has fueled hypothesis however displays the tight-lipped strategy of Seattle’s new management.
Fant’s departure follows three strong however unspectacular seasons in Seattle. In 2024, he recorded 48 receptions for 500 yards and only one landing. With minimal scoring manufacturing and a cap hit nearing $9 million, the cap area aid was vital. His launch creates flexibility for contract extensions or potential midseason acquisitions.
Moreover, the Seahawks tight finish depth chart seems to be trending youthful. Rookie Elijah Arroyo has impressed throughout minicamp, whereas second-year TE AJ Barner is competing for a bigger function. With the workforce shifting towards a quicker, extra dynamic offensive identification underneath new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, the tight finish room is a part of that rebuild.
This roster evolution displays the broader imaginative and prescient of the second-year head coach. His tenure has been marked by strategic cap choices, a revamped offense, and a defense-first identification. Fant merely not match the mildew. Regardless of a decent 291 profession receptions and over 3,300 yards, his low-impact in final season seemingly sealed his destiny.
The discharge of the sixth-year tight finish wasn’t sudden—It was strategic. And whereas no specifics have been provided, the Seahawks’ current strikes paint a transparent image that the workforce is embracing a youth-driven, cap-conscious strategy heading into the upcoming NFL season.
As for Fant, he’s already visited the Cincinnati Bengals and will land on a contender in want of veteran depth. However in Seattle, the longer term is clearly about improvement and long-term match—and the Seahawks tight finish depth chart now displays that.