The Seattle Seahawks released TE Noah Fant on July 20, 2025, finalizing their offseason overhaul. See why the move was made and what it means for rookie Elijah Arroyo.
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
Just when you thought the offseason couldn't get any more dramatic, the Seattle Seahawks dropped another bombshell on Sunday. Veteran tight end Noah Fant, a former first-round pick and a key piece from the Russell Wilson trade, has been released just days before the start of training camp. The move is the final, emphatic punctuation mark on a franchise-altering offseason that has seen the departure of nearly every recognizable face on offense.
With Noah Fant's release, the last major offensive player acquired in the Russell Wilson trade is now gone, officially closing one chapter and throwing the doors wide open for another.
The Seahawks officially confirmed the move in a press release on Sunday, stating it was made to create roster flexibility. But for fans, it's much more than that. Fant, who posted a solid 48 catches for 500 yards and a touchdown last season, was expected to be a reliable target in a revamped offense. Instead, his departure clears the path—and the salary cap—for the team to fully embrace its youth movement. All eyes now turn to rookie Elijah Arroyo, who is suddenly thrust into the starting tight end role with immense expectations on his shoulders.
Fant's release isn't an isolated event; it's the culmination of a deliberate teardown. This offseason, the Seahawks have systematically dismantled the offense that fans knew. They traded superstar D.K. Metcalf, released franchise icon Tyler Lockett, and dealt quarterback Geno Smith. In their place, the front office has brought in veterans Sam Darnold at quarterback and Cooper Kupp at receiver, hoping their experience can guide a young and unproven supporting cast. It's a high-stakes gamble that has transformed the team's identity overnight.
While the Seahawks are betting on their young players, the new era is already facing some early adversity. As rookies reported to camp, the team announced that six of them were placed on the non-football injury (NFI) list. The most concerning name is fifth-round defensive end Rylie Mills, who is still recovering from an ACL injury and isn't expected to be ready for game action for some time. He's joined by undrafted free agents LB D'Eryk Jackson, WRs Tyrone Broden and Montorie Foster, and CBs Zy Alexander and Isas Waxter. While most are expected to be cleared by July 23, it's a stark reminder that the path to rebuilding is rarely smooth.
As the Seahawks head into their first official practice of training camp, the narrative is set. This is no longer the team of Russell Wilson, D.K. Metcalf, or even Geno Smith. It's the Sam Darnold and Cooper Kupp show, with a heavy reliance on unproven rookies like Elijah Arroyo. The central question of the next month is clear: can this collection of new faces and young talent build the chemistry needed to compete? The Fant release proves the front office is all-in on their vision; now, we wait to see if the gamble pays off.
