Since 2021, the Atlanta Falcons have used four top-10 draft picks on offense. While Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Bijan Robinson and Michael Penix Jr. have each shown promise, Pitts has been trending in the wrong direction since his 1,000-yard rookie season.
The former No. 4 overall pick out of Florida was projected for a big year in 2024 but finished with 47 catches for 602 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Production-wise, Pitts finished just outside of the top 10 players at his position.
There were some low points, like when he bobbled a red-zone pass attempt from Penix that led to an ugly interception. And there were high points, like when Pitts caught a fourth-down touchdown strike from Penix to send a Week 17 matchup against the Washington Commanders to overtime.
Many in the Falcons fan base are writing off the 24-year-old tight end, but Penix is not giving up on his teammate. During an interview on NBC’s “Pro Football Talk,” the rookie QB was asked his thoughts on Pitts.
“I’m going to believe in him,” Penix said of Pitts. “He knows that. I just talked to him the other day, and we just talked about some of the things that we want to do and it’s like, all right, I’m going to give you my all each and every day, and I want you to do the same. Once we do that, our connection is going to continue to build.”
Penix’s optimism has endeared him to his teammates, but many around the league are projecting the Falcons to trade Pitts over the offseason. The Falcons are over $11 million over the cap and Pitts has a cap hit of $10.8 million this season.
While a trade does make sense from a cap standpoint, it would also create a need at the tight end position. Penix is going forward with the assumption Pitts will be here and taking it upon himself to get his teammate the ball in 2025.
“At the end of the day, whenever he’s open, I’ve got to find him and get him the ball, and I know he’ll make big-time plays whenever it’s in his hands.”