Earlier this decade, Kyle Pitts looked like a candidate to be the player who dragged the tight end market past $20MM per year. With Trey McBride and George Kittle not getting there with their respective extensions this offseason, a 2023 or ’24 draftee likely becomes the lead candidate.
Pitts has not delivered the kind of consistency necessary to warrant such a commitment, following his 2021 1,000-yard season with an injury-plagued 2022 and moderately productive 2023 and ’24 slates. Still, Pitts has proven to be a starter-level player — even if the return has not quite justified the Falcons’ No. 4 overall investment. But an extension does not appear on the radar ahead of training camp.
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“No whispers” of a Falcons-Pitts accord have come out, per the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s D. Orlando Ledbetter. Pitts is set to play the season on a $10.88MM fifth-year option. An opportunity to cash in come 2026 would await the Florida product, though his path toward the tight end market’s upper reaches is murky.
Even if Pitts has not approached the heights of his 2021 season with Matt Ryan, he is among a small group of tight ends to clear 600 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons. Only Kittle, McBride, Travis Kelce, Sam LaPorta and Pitts have accomplished this. Pitts’ perfect attendance has helped in compiling yardage, and he said during the 2023 season he had not fully recovered from the MCL tear sustained in 2022. Nearly three years removed from that setback, the 6-foot-6 pass catcher should have a good chance at putting together a quality contract year.
The Falcons’ staff wanting to see more makes sense, as OC Zac Robinson was not in place when the team drafted Pitts or when his best season (the 1,066-yard rookie showing) occurred. Atlanta also did not give Pitts much to work with at quarterback during most of his rookie contract. Following the March 2022 Ryan trade, run-oriented offenses centered around Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder. Kirk Cousins elevated the team’s passing attack for a stretch, but poor play led Raheem Morris to bench the aging passer. As Cousins reluctantly settles into a backup role (for the time being), Pitts will be a key component in Michael Penix Jr.‘s development.
Penix making strides would stand to help Pitts as well, as he is only going into his age-25 season. Delivering this year will make Pitts an attractive free agent commodity, but the Falcons could also cuff him via the franchise tag. A few teams have unholstered the tag on a tight end in recent years. Since 2022, Evan Engram, David Njoku, Mike Gesicki and Dalton Schultz received tags. All four eventually scored an eight-figure-per-year deal — either with that team or in free agency down the road. Hunter Henry did as well after being tagged in 2020.
It cost $13.8MM to tag a tight end this year; a comparable 2026 price could be appealing to the Falcons, but their front office certainly has enjoyed plenty of time to evaluate Pitts by this point. Trade rumors circled Pitts for a bit, but no deal — Atlanta sought at least a Day 2 pick — appeared close. Should the Falcons start slowly, however, more trade buzz should be expected regarding the contract-year player. His summer foot injury will be something to monitor, however.
Next year could present a crowded TE market. Mark Andrews and Dallas Goedert are on track for free agency, after trade rumors followed both this offseason, while Kelce’s age-37 season would be available — though, the future Hall of Famer appears unlikely to leave Kansas City. Njoku and Noah Fant would also be available, barring extensions. Pitts’ age, however, would make him an appealing option were he to reach the market.
The Falcons have some time to make a decision here, but Pitts undoubtedly residing behind Drake London and Bijan Robinson in Atlanta’s extension queue come 2026 further complicates this situation.