“I just work here,” Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts said in response to Atlanta’s latest quarterback change. The immensely talented former top-five pick has been through his share of signal-callers since being drafted in 2021.
Pitts, 24, began his NFL career with Matt Ryan under center before Marcus Mariota took over in 2022. In 2023, Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke played musical chairs with the starting quarterback job under Arthur Smith.
After that failed experiment, the Falcons signed quarterback Kirk Cousins during the 2024 offseason and drafted Michael Penix Jr. in the first round. Cousins was expected to solidify the position while Penix developed for the future.
However, plans changed when Cousins hit arguably the worst four-game stretch of his career to begin the second half of the season. Since Week 10, the veteran QB has thrown for nine interceptions and just one touchdown.
Head coach Raheem Morris needed to stop the bleeding and benched Cousins for Penix after the team’s Monday night win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Penix will be the sixth quarterback Pitts has played with in his four NFL seasons, so it’s easy to understand why the tight end is apprehensive to say anything drastic.
“I didn’t think it would have happened this early or now,” said Pitts on the latest quarterback change. “Also, I just work here.”
Pitts has 40 receptions for 536 receiving yards and three touchdowns this season. Although he hasn’t had a ton of reps with Penix, the former Florida Gator was asked which traits could make the rookie successful in his first NFL start against the New York Giants.
“He’s very mature,” Pitts said of Penix. “And he’s played a lot of ball.”
The Falcons hope that experience translates into a win when the Penix era officially begins this Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.