Kyle Pitts’ NFL journey has been anything but straightforward. Since being taken fourth overall by the Atlanta Falcons, the ultra-talented tight end has shown flashes of brilliance, battled through inconsistency, and found himself at the center of trade rumors and contract speculation. Now, with the franchise tag window officially open, the Falcons appear poised to take the most pragmatic route: tag him.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, there’s growing buzz around the league that Atlanta is leaning toward placing the franchise tag on Pitts - a move that would lock him in for 2026 at a projected $16.3 million. That’s a hefty number, but it gives the Falcons control over a player who still has the potential to be a game-changer.
Let’s call it what it is: the franchise tag is never a player’s favorite outcome. It delays long-term security and keeps financial leverage in the team’s hands. But for the Falcons, it might be the cleanest solution to a complicated puzzle.
Pitts is coming off a bounce-back season where he finished second among tight ends in receiving yards - a strong indicator that, when healthy and in rhythm, he remains a matchup nightmare. The touchdown numbers haven’t exploded yet, but his ability to stretch the field and create mismatches is still very real. On the open market, that kind of production would draw serious interest - and serious offers.
But Atlanta has some tough calls ahead. With Drake London and Bijan Robinson also on the roster and eventually due for major paydays, general manager Ian Cunningham has to weigh the cap implications carefully.
Letting Pitts walk would mean giving up a dynamic weapon who’s already building chemistry with Michael Penix Jr., the presumed quarterback of the future. Replacing him wouldn’t be easy - not with limited draft capital and a tight budget.
That’s why tagging Pitts makes sense. It buys time - time to see if he can string together another consistent season, time to work out a more team-friendly extension, or even time to explore trade options if things don’t progress. It’s a strategic placeholder, not a permanent solution.
Of course, tagging him doesn’t guarantee he’ll be on the field Week 1. Pitts still has to sign the tag, and we’ve seen players sit out or push back when tagged - especially when they feel they’ve earned more.
That’s a risk Atlanta has to consider. But it’s one they’ve taken before: the last time the Falcons used the franchise tag was in 2019 on Grady Jarrett, who ultimately signed a long-term deal before the deadline.
So while nothing’s finalized yet, the writing’s on the wall. Kyle Pitts is likely getting tagged. And for the Falcons, it’s the move that keeps their options open - and their offense intact - for at least one more season.