NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints didn’t let him get away twice. Executive Vice President/General Manager Mickey Loomis announced Sunday that the club agreed to terms with free agent tight end Noah Fant on a two-year contract worth $8.75 million. The move ends an eight-month pursuit that began last summer and gives New Orleans a vertical threat they’ve lacked since the departure of Foster Moreau to Houston.
Loomis is betting on the 28-year-old’s rare physical profile to unlock a stagnant middle-of-the-field passing game. At 6’4″ and 249 pounds, Fant still possesses the wheels that saw him clock a 4.50 40-yard dash. While his 2025 season with the Cincinnati Bengals was quieter than expected—posting 34 catches for 288 yards and 3 touchdowns—his career resume speaks to a high ceiling. He enters the 2026 season with 334 receptions and 3,593 career yards.
The stadium atmosphere is already shifting. Fans remember the July 2025 visit when Fant nearly signed before opting for Joe Burrow and the Bengals. This time, the Saints ensured the Iowa product didn’t board a plane without a contract. He joins a room led by Juwan Johnson, creating a “12 personnel” look that defensive coordinators will hate to scout on Monday mornings.
It’s a homecoming of sorts for a deal that nearly happened during the humidity of last year’s training camp. New Orleans stayed patient. They watched Fant navigate a gritty 15-game stretch in Cincinnati where he battled through a few uncharacteristic fumbles but showed flashes of the playmaker who once terrorized the AFC West. The Saints’ front office clearly saw through the 2025 noise, focusing instead on his 1,865 yards after the catch—a metric that fits perfectly into the Saints’ heavy-YAC offensive philosophy.
“I’ve always loved the energy in this city. Last year was a tough call, but being here now feels right. I’m ready to stretch the seam and give this fan base the explosive plays they deserve. Let’s get to work.”
— Noah Fant, Saints Tight End
The NFC South is wide open, and this signing is a clear signal that New Orleans isn’t in rebuild mode. By securing Fant on a two-year deal with $4.5 million guaranteed, Loomis has managed the cap while securing a starter-level talent. Fant’s presence forces safeties to respect the deep middle, which should create massive lanes for Chris Olave on the outside. Expect the Saints to look for a complementary blocker in the upcoming draft, but for now, the primary receiving weapon is secured. The Saints have their mismatch; now they just have to use him.
