The Atlanta Falcons are in a unique position entering the 2025 season. While the Cincinnati Bengals grabbed all the headlines, the Falcons had a similar problem plaguing their season in 2024 as well. Even through the struggles of Kirk Cousins, the offense in Atlanta was spectacular throughout the year, with the defense falling short multiple times.
However, unlike the Bengals, the Falcons spent the entire summer addressing their defensive woes while letting Michael Penix Jr. figure out the offense with a host of quality weapons. Names like Bijan Robinson and Drake London have all proven themselves to be excellent pieces around Penix. However, the 2025 season is also going to be the final litmus test for a key project in Atlanta, in the form of Kyle Pitts.
Will Kyle Pitts Stick Around With the Atlanta Falcons?
At the time of the 2021 draft, the Falcons made history by drafting Pitts with the fourth overall pick. After a solid career at Florida, no one saw the youngster becoming the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history.
However, almost immediately, he proved all the doubters wrong, putting together one of the most impressive rookie seasons in recent memory. By year’s end, he had started in 15 of 17 games played, putting up 1,026 yards at a rate of over 15 yards per reception.
The bet from Atlanta had paid off, and it felt likely that they had a genuine superstar on their hands. Unfortunately, it’s all gone downhill from there. Through 10 games of his sophomore season, Pitts wasn’t performing at nearly the same level.
With just 356 yards, the year was off to a slow start before a torn MCL put a premature end to his season. Since returning in 2023, he has been extremely consistent, playing in all 17 games in both years.
However, his production has waned, with less than 670 yards both times. As a result, there is a possibility that the Falcons look in a different direction if he cannot raise his stock again with Penix as his quarterback.
Even assistant general manager Kyle Smith made it clear that a future contract wasn’t guaranteed to the former Pro Bowler. Josh Kendall of “The Athletic” reported on X, “Assistant GM Kyle Smith on the possibility of second contract discussions with Kyle Pitts, who is on final year this season: ‘You take it one step at a time with every player.’”
Assistant GM Kyle Smith on the possibility of second contract discussions with Kyle Pitts, who is on final year this season: “You take it one step at a time with every player.”
— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) July 26, 2025
His answer leaves Pitts’ future as open-ended as one can imagine. But for an Atlanta team that is likely regretting signing Kirk Cousins to a monstrous four-year, $180 million contract, only for him to serve as the most expensive backup QB in the league less than a year later, dishing out a premium price isn’t going to be their first choice.
As a result, the former Gator is going to have to earn his worth in gold if he wants a major contract extension.