The Atlanta Falcons are heading into a pivotal offseason, and one of the biggest storylines centers around tight end Kyle Pitts. With Kevin Stefanski now officially installed as the team’s new head coach, Atlanta has some major decisions to make-not just about scheme and staff, but about the roster’s core pieces. And few are as intriguing, or as uncertain, as Pitts.
Let’s rewind for a second. Pitts was the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, a selection that came with sky-high expectations.
Coming out of Florida, he was billed as a generational talent-too fast for linebackers, too big for corners, and too athletic for safeties. And early on, he looked every bit the part.
Pitts topped 1,000 receiving yards in his rookie season, a rare feat for a tight end, let alone a rookie one.
But since then, it’s been a mixed bag. Injuries, inconsistent quarterback play, and shifting offensive philosophies have all played a role in Pitts not quite hitting the ceiling many envisioned for him.
Still, his 2025 campaign showed signs of a resurgence-928 receiving yards and a career-high five touchdowns. That’s not just solid production; that’s borderline top-tier for the position, especially in an offense that lacked stability.
Now, with free agency looming in March, the Falcons have a decision to make. Do they commit to Pitts long-term?
Do they bring him back on a short-term deal? Or do they let him walk and look to reset at the position?
When Stefanski was asked about Pitts during his introductory press conference, his response was... carefully measured.
“Kyle is somebody that we'll talk at length more about when it comes to those types of roster conversations,” Stefanski said. “But the position itself is something that we feel very strongly about.”
That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement, and it certainly doesn’t scream “we’re building around this guy.” Stefanski’s comment seemed to focus more on the tight end position as a whole than on Pitts specifically.
It’s a subtle, but telling distinction. It suggests the Falcons are evaluating all options, and Pitts-despite his draft pedigree and flashes of brilliance-isn’t a lock to return.
That said, the tight end market this offseason isn’t exactly overflowing with elite talent. If Atlanta wants to maintain a weapon at that spot without investing a high draft pick or overpaying in free agency, retaining Pitts might be their best move.
One option on the table: the franchise tag. If the Falcons choose to go that route, it would cost them roughly $15 million to keep Pitts in Atlanta for one more year.
That’s not cheap, but it gives the team flexibility. They get another season to evaluate Pitts in Stefanski’s system without committing long-term, and Pitts gets a chance to prove he can be a centerpiece in a more stable offensive environment.
For Falcons fans, this is a storyline worth watching closely. Pitts still has all the tools to be a difference-maker, and in the right system, with the right quarterback, he could still blossom into the star many thought he’d become. But Atlanta has to decide whether they believe that breakout is coming-or if it’s time to turn the page.
One thing’s for sure: the Falcons’ tight end room will be a key subplot of the 2026 offseason. Whether Pitts is part of that picture remains very much up in the air.