The Facts: The Seahawks took a step Tuesday to secure the immediate future of one of the key pieces of the Russell Wilson trade, deciding to pick up the fifth-year option on the rookie contract of Fant, a league source confirmed to The Seattle Times.

Diehards Line: Picking up the option means Fant will be under contract for the 2023 season at a fully guaranteed $6.85 million. Fant is the first of the NFL’s 32 first-round picks in 2019 to have his option exercised. Teams have until May 2 to make a decision. Fant was a 2019 first-round pick of Denver at 20th overall. All first-round picks come with an option for a team to pick up the fifth year at a predetermined amount based on a formula that includes playing time and Pro Bowl invitations earned. The Seahawks could always work out an extension with Fant to lower the cap hit for that year and also assure he stays with the team longer. But for now, it means Fant can’t become a free agent following the 2022 season. It is the first time the Seahawks have exercised a fifth-year option since they were implemented as part of the 2011 collective bargaining agreement. Fant, 24, set a career-high with 68 receptions in 2021 along with 670 yards and four touchdown and has 170 receptions for 1,905 yards and 10 touchdowns in 47 games and 41 starts in three NFL seasons. He became just the sixth rookie tight end in league history with multiple 100-yard receiving games in 2019.