Could Kyle Pitts Be the Missing Piece in Tampa Bay? Familiar Face, Big Talent, Big Questions
On the surface, tight end isn’t the top priority for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason. Their defense finished 20th in scoring last year, and that’s where most of the attention-and resources-are likely to be focused, whether through free agency or the draft. But if the Bucs do decide to make a splash on offense, there’s one name that could shake things up in a big way: Kyle Pitts.
Yes, that Kyle Pitts.
The former first-round pick out of Florida hasn’t quite recaptured the magic of his 2021 rookie season, when he broke the 1,000-yard mark. But this past season, under the guidance of offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, Pitts looked more like the matchup nightmare he was drafted to be. He finished with 928 receiving yards-second among all NFL tight ends-and showed flashes of the game-breaking ability that made him a top-five pick.
Now, with Robinson taking over as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator, the connection between coach and player becomes a storyline worth watching. Familiarity matters in the NFL, especially when it comes to complex offensive systems. If the Bucs are looking for a dynamic pass-catching tight end who already knows the playbook and can stretch the field, Pitts checks a lot of boxes.
But here's where things get tricky.
Pitts isn’t going to come cheap. Sportac projects his next deal to land somewhere between $43 and $46 million over four years.
That’s $14 to $16 million annually-elite money for a tight end. And while Pitts may be worth it, the Bucs are working with just $24 million in cap space.
That’s not a lot of room to maneuver, especially when you consider that Mike Evans is also a free agent.
Evans, the franchise’s all-time leader in just about every receiving category, turns 33 in August. There’s no guarantee he’ll be back in Tampa-or even playing at all next season-but if the Bucs do re-sign him, it’ll likely come with a significant price tag.
And if it comes down to choosing between a proven franchise cornerstone and a high-upside newcomer, Tampa’s history suggests they’ll stick with the guy who’s already worn the uniform. Just look at how they handled Chris Godwin’s extension after his injury-this is a team that values loyalty.
That said, Pitts brings something different to the table. He’s still only 25, with five NFL seasons under his belt.
That puts him right in the sweet spot between the Bucs’ veteran pass-catchers like Evans and Chris Godwin, and their young receivers like Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan. Pitts could be the bridge between the old guard and the new wave-a versatile weapon for Baker Mayfield who can line up all over the field and create mismatches against linebackers and safeties.
And let’s not forget: Tampa Bay hasn’t had a tight end post more than 884 receiving yards in a season since Kellen Winslow Jr. did it back in 2009. Pitts nearly topped that this past year alone, and he did it in an offense that wasn’t always firing on all cylinders.
So, is Kyle Pitts the answer in Tampa Bay? That depends on how the Bucs want to allocate their limited cap space-and how much stock they put in familiarity, upside, and long-term roster balance.
Pitts is a star, no doubt. But in a tight financial window, the Bucs will have to weigh whether his potential impact is worth the price tag, especially when there’s already a Hall-of-Fame-caliber receiver in the building who might need one more deal.
The connection with Zac Robinson is real. The talent is undeniable. The question now is whether Tampa Bay thinks Kyle Pitts is the right fit at the right time-or just the right player at the wrong price.