Overview

• The Bengals signed Fant on July 31 to a one-year deal with a $2.75 million base and incentives up to $4.25 million to replace Erick All Jr. after the rookie suffered a season-ending ACL tear.
• Seattle released Fant in mid-July as a cap-and-cash casualty, freeing $8.91 million and trusting its existing tight end depth.
• Following visits to New Orleans and Miami, Fant chose Cincinnati partly because of Joe Burrow’s reputation for elevating tight ends’ performance and market value.
• He has earned first-team reps in camp thanks to his ability to block effectively in the run game and stretch defenses as a receiver.
• Coach Zac Taylor and Joe Burrow have praised Fant’s versatility and veteran presence alongside Mike Gesicki in what they call a revitalized tight end unit.