CINCINNATI — Noah Fant’s decision to join the Cincinnati Bengals two weeks ago carries a sense of fitting timing, as his connection with Joe Burrow is already hinting at a brighter offensive future. Fant, who had admired Burrow since watching him lead the Bengals to a stunning AFC Championship game victory over the Kansas City Chiefs three years ago, is now poised to catch passes from one of the <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/”>NFL’s most dominant quarterbacks.
After entering the league in 2019 with the Denver Broncos, Fant has seen a range of quarterbacks but none with the precision and impact of Burrow, who led the NFL last season with 4,918 passing yards, 43 touchdowns, and 460 completions. This new alliance is expected to bring a fresh dynamic to Cincinnati’s offense.
Rapid Development of the Burrow-to-Fant Connection
Since signing on July 31 and joining Bengals practices, Fant has shown enthusiasm and a glimpse of the potential chemistry developing with Burrow. In just under two weeks, Fant has made several notable plays, including a long touchdown catch during practice and multiple receptions in a recent session, signaling the progress of their connection beyond the early stages.
I’ve kind of admired his game from afar,
Fant said after Tuesday’s practice.
Being able to get on the field with him, catch some passes, it’s really cool to see how sharp he is, how smart he is, how decisive. He’s a great quarterback. It’s been really cool being a part of that. Hopefully, I can keep contributing whichever way I’m asked to keep earning his trust.
Fant has incorporated himself into the first team offense, which suggests a likely preseason debut Monday against Washington, following his absence in the preseason opener at Philadelphia. Notably, Burrow targeted tight ends on 28% of his completions last season, catching 129 passes, which highlights the opportunity awaiting Fant.
Bengals’ Strategy for Utilizing Noah Fant’s Versatility
Despite an already crowded tight end room including Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, Tanner Hudson, Cam Grandy, and Tanner McLachlan, the Bengals prioritized Fant for his distinct versatility. While Gesicki led team tight ends with 65 receptions mostly from the slot and Sample plays a traditional inline role, Fant offers a hybrid skill set that extends the team’s options.
He gives you even more flexibility. You’ve got a player that’s really a plus player in both the run and the pass,
Bengals coach Zac Taylor said.
At the point of attack, blocking out of the backfield for protection he can help you, but also really explosive as a receiver.
Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher echoed this versatility:
He’s explosive, he’s fast, he’s powerful, he has big powerful strides,
Pitcher said.
He can function as a blocker in 12 personnel in a number of different roles.
Fant’s ability to perform both as a reliable pass catcher and an effective run blocker creates numerous offensive schemes for the Bengals.
Adjusting to Cincinnati’s Complex Offensive System
One challenge facing Fant is learning Cincinnati’s detailed and multi-faceted offensive playbook in a short timeframe. Offensive staff note that his adjustment process is intense but progressing well.
He’s kind of drinking from a fire hose right now a little bit, as you could imagine,
Pitcher said.
We’re on the 600 level course of the Cincinnati Bengals Joe Burrow offense. He’s trying to take it all in, and he’s doing a good job of that. He’s putting in the work. We obviously have a vision for how we’re going to use him and how we’re going to use his skill set and you guys will see that soon enough.
Fant appreciates the intricacies of the system and how it provides immediate adaptability during games.
I think the cool thing is how detailed the offense is,
Fant remarked.
When they get into games — as I’m seeing, as I’m learning the playbook and going through all this stuff — they have so many different checks or whatever they may need to scratch any itch they need in the game, at the snap of a finger. Having that in an offense, it’s a lot of work on the front end to get that down, but on the back end, it’s kind of opened things up, so you have a very open offense where you can do whatever you want at any time.
Fant’s Career Indicates Untapped Potential with Burrow
Throughout his six NFL seasons, Fant has recorded over 500 receiving yards in four of those years, often working with various quarterbacks including Joe Flacco, Brett Rypien, Drew Lock, Brandon Allen, Teddy Bridgewater, and Jeff Driskel. Now paired with Burrow, Fant’s skill set is expected to shine brighter than ever.
Once fully acclimated to Cincinnati’s system, Fant is likely to be deployed as a multifaceted weapon; able to contribute both as a receiver and as a blocker, enhancing the team’s offensive flexibility. The Bengals already boast a formidable offense headlined by Burrow, along with wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and Fant’s arrival deepens their attacking options significantly.