Is Noah Fant playing today? Latest updates for Seahawks tight end

The Seattle Seahawks might have a question to ask about tight end Noah Fant. This goes beyond whether he will play on Sunday in Week 12 when the Seattle Seahawks play the Arizona Cardinals. He might, but more on that in just a second.

The bigger question is what to do about Fant's contract after this season. Last offseason, Seattle re-signed Fant to a two-year deal through 2025. The first year was not overly expensive for Seattle, but next year the tight end's cap hit goes up quite a bit. In fact, the Seahawks could save $9 million by releasing Fant.

He has been a decent player, but not one worth a cap hit of $13.5 million in 2025. He would have the tenth-highest cap hit among his position group next year. That is not extraordinarily high, but Fant also has not scored a touchdown in two years, either. He is a fine receiver but does not produce a high number of catches or receiving yards. That might be more of a product of the Seahawks' system, but Fant's overall lack of production remains the same either way.

Is DK Metcalf playing for the Seattle Seahawks versus the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11?

Fant has missed the last two games for Seattle with a groin injury. He did practice in the days ahead of the Cardinals game, but only in a limited fashion. The hope is that he will be able to play and give quarterback Geno Smith another good option in the passing game. But how well will Fant be able to run if he does catch the ball?

According to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Fant is a game-time decision. Again, Seattle hopes he can play, but the Seahawks have never been one to rush a player back from being hurt. If there is a chance that the tight end could aggravate the injury, he will not play. Plus, Seattle elevated tight end Tyler Mabry from the practice squad on Saturday so that might be an indication Fant won't play in Week 12.

If that happens, rookie AJ Barner will likely see more targets from Smith. In fact, one reason to potentially release Fant next offseason is that Barner has become a bit better of a receiver than expected in his first season. He is also an excellent blocker. He also has something that Fant has not had since 2022: A touchdown reception.

More Seahawks news and analysis: