Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. has had an up-and-down career so far since being drafted fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Florida. Whether due to injuries or a lack of opportunities to get the ball because of play-calling decisions, his production has fluctuated.
However, this year, things have changed. Pitts Sr. is up for a new contract, and this is how the Falcons should approach it.
Kyle Pitts Sr.’s Contract Situation
When Pitts was drafted by Atlanta in 2021, he signed his rookie contract, which was worth $32,910,495 over four years and was fully guaranteed. First-round draft picks in the NFL also receive a fifth-year option. It is essentially another way of saying that if the team does not extend a player after the standard four years, it can exercise the fifth-year option before the player enters free agency.
Right now, Pitts is playing on the fifth-year option, which is worth $10,885,560. The Falcons did not extend Pitts after his third or fourth year in the NFL. But with contract talks soon to begin, the question becomes what the Falcons should do. Should they extend Pitts or let him walk in free agency? Based on how he is playing this season, an extension appears to be the preferred option.
So far this season, Pitts has 80 catches for 854 yards and five touchdowns. His best game came against Tampa Bay in Week 15, when he caught 11 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns. Atlanta also won the game 29-28.
Trade Pitts?
The Falcons could also explore trading Pitts, but the question becomes which teams would be interested in a tight end. Teams such as the Kansas City Chiefs, with an aging Travis Kelce, or the New York Jets, who could use a complete offensive revamp, could make sense. Due to Pitts’ injury history and potential asking price, a trade could require a second-round pick and additional assets.
Extend Pitts?
If the Falcons have any doubts about extending Pitts, it would likely stem from his inconsistency. For example, in his rookie season, he recorded 68 catches for 1,026 yards and one touchdown. Since then, he had not surpassed 60 receptions until this year. However, that was not entirely Pitts’ fault, as some of the blame falls on play calling.
Given that Pitts is having his best season yet, Atlanta should extend him, but the team must be mindful of the contract value. Fellow tight end Trey McBride signed a four-year extension with Arizona in April worth $76 million. The Falcons would need to find a middle ground within their salary cap to get a deal done.