Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
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Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints throws the ball during the first quarter of the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
The New Orleans Saints have been busy early on in NFL free agency this offseason.
So far, the team had made four moves in free agency. They agreed to terms on a two-year, $6.2 million deal with defensive tackle John Ridgeway III, a four-year deal worth $2.5 million with punter Ryan Wright, a four-year, $52 million deal with running back Travis Etienne Jr., and a four-year, $61 contract with offensive lineman David Edwards.
A fifth move was made late Monday afternoon.
According to a report from NFL insider Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Saints have agreed to terms on a two-year contract with veteran tight end Noah Fant.
“Another weapon for the Saints: They’ve agreed to terms with Noah Fant on a two-year deal, sources tell me and @RapSheet,” Pelissero reported on X.
Fant spent the 2025 season with the Cincinnati Bengals.
What Does Noah Fant Bring to the Field for the Saints?
Noah Fant, New Orleans Saints
GettyNoah Fant #86 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers in the game at Paycor Stadium on October 16, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Originally drafted with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, Fant has turned into a bit of a journeyman throughout his career.
He played the first three seasons of his career with the Broncos before playing the next three with the Seattle Seahawks. Last season was spent with the Bengals and now he’ll be playing in New Orleans.
During the 2025 season with Cincinnati, Fant played in 15 games. He caught 34 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Things didn’t work out quite as planned due to the Joe Burrow injury.
Throughout Fant’s entire 110-game NFL career thus far, the 28-year-old tight end has totaled 334 receptions for 3,593 yards and 18 touchdowns.
New Orleans Is Investing Into Young QB Tyler Shough
No one is going to confuse this move for being a blockbuster addition for the Saints. However, a veteran tight end can only help young quarterback Tyler Shough in his second NFL season.
Shough showed signs of being a potential franchise quarterback option for New Orleans last season. He played in 11 games and threw for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while completing 67.6 percent of his pass attempts. In addition, he chipped in with 186 yards and three scores on the ground.
Fant will play a role within the Saints’ offense. He isn’t going to be a go-to target, but he’ll be able to play the role of a security blanket and a vertical threat at tight end.
New Orleans has been very aggressive this offseason. That aggressiveness isn’t likely to stop with the Fant signing. It’s a quality move that simply helps raise the floor for the 2026 season.