The pieces have fallen in place for new Seattle Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock and tight end Noah Fant to reunite in Rain City. Fant spoke about playing with his friend again Thursday after OTAs.
"I think some stability could be good for him," Fant said of Lock, who is competing with Geno Smith for the starting job. "I think stability and a fresh start could be good for him and I think he's taking advantage of that."
Lock and Fant's budding friendship through their time in Denver was well-documented. The Denver Broncos selected Fant No.20 overall in the 2019 NFL Draft; and took Lock at No.42 overall in the second round. They shared the spotlight at the NFL Rookie Premiere shortly after being drafted, taking their pictures for Panini's rookie player cards. Then shortly after being drafted, the duo survived a car accident together. The duo were in an airport shuttle departing Los Angeles International Airport when another shuttle struck the vehicle. Lock and Fant were not harmed; Lock would joke in an interview that they'd "taken harder hits."
Lock competed with former Super Bowl Champion quarterback Joe Flacco in his rookie campaign; while Fant went through his own rookie growing pains, playing six games in 2019. The duo committed to getting better together, and their relationship on and off the field grew. In 2020, Lock and Fant worked out together in parks and gyms across Colorado, building chemistry.
Over 24 games, Lock threw more receptions, touchdowns and for more first downs to Fant than any other receiver. On 107 targets from Lock, Fant caught 74 receptions for 877 yards and four touchdowns.
On March 16, Seattle and the Broncos agreed on the trade that sent former Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and a 2022 fourth-round pick to Denver in exchange for three players and a large amount of draft picks, including two first-round picks and two second-rounders. Lock and Fant were two of the players acquired by Seattle, along with defensive lineman Shelby Harris.
According to former Seahawks scout and Senior Bowl Director Jim Nagy, Seattle really wanted Lock in the Russell Wilson trade. Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll has been open to Lock coming in and competing since the trade and has shown enthusiasm towards Lock’s progress in OTA’s.
Seattle showed great faith in Fant by making him their first fifth-year option pickup in the 2019 draft class. And that's after being in the building for a short amount of time.
On Thursday, Fant discussed his gratitude for the gesture and how it played out at the podium after OTAs.
"Yeah I was excited about it," said Fant. "Obviously that was a huge testament and kind of showed their faith in me. Only time I saw them was when I came in for my physical. It was something really cool and I'll cherish for sure."
After a few seasons in Denver, they both have an opportunity to make the Seahawks great again - together.
Check out some of the best photos of Seahawks players participating in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Thursday, June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
Seahawks players participate in organized team activities at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center on June 2, 2022.
