Seahawks Part Ways with Veteran TE Will Dissly After Three Seasons: What’s Next for the Team?

The Seattle Seahawks have made a significant change by releasing starting tight end Noah Fant. This decision comes as the team prepares for training camp and faces tough salary cap choices.

Fant’s time with the Seahawks has been marked by uncertainty. He had a high contract but didn’t produce as expected over his three seasons. The situation became even clearer when the Seahawks drafted tight end Elijah Arroyo in the second round this past April.

By letting go of Fant, the Seahawks save $9 million in cash and nearly $9 million in cap space, though they will incur $4.5 million in dead money. Before this move, the team already had about $27 million in cap space, which may be used for future player extensions.

At 27 years old, Fant was in the last year of a two-year, $21 million contract. His average salary ranked 12th among tight ends, yet stats show his performance didn’t match this ranking. Over his time in Seattle, he had 130 receptions for 1,400 yards and five touchdowns, which puts him in the lower tiers among tight ends.

Interestingly, Fant’s best moment last season was a touchdown in the final game—his first score since late 2022, the year he was traded from the Denver Broncos in a deal involving Russell Wilson.

With Arroyo now on board, comparisons are already being made between the two tight ends. The Seahawks also have AJ Barner on the roster, who performed well last season with four touchdowns, and veteran Eric Saubert. Additionally, the roster has some undrafted rookies and Brady Russell, a former tight end now transitioning to fullback.

Historically, tight ends have been crucial for teams, often serving as safety valves for quarterbacks. As teams shift their strategies, the role of players like Arroyo will be vital. In contrast to past seasons, where tight ends often had more lenient contracts despite lower productivity, teams are now cutting costs more aggressively.

As the league evolves, it will be interesting to see how the Seahawks adapt. The tight end position, once seen as supportive, is becoming more competitive, with rookies stepping into significant roles. This trend mirrors a broader move in the NFL toward value-driven decision-making, reflecting the ongoing shift in team dynamics and salary management.

For more information on the Seahawks’ financial strategies, you can check resources like Over The Cap.

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