Former Florida Gators star has turned the corner everybody has been waiting on, and he’s going to see a big payday as a result

Former Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts had a massive breakout game for the Atlanta Falcons, and it’s a long time coming.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Dec 19, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Florida Gators tight end Kyle Pitts (84) catches the ball against Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Brian Branch (14) during the first quarter in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

One of the better Florida Gators teams of the last decade was the 2020 season. Most will remember it for the COVID-19 pandemic shortening the season, but Gators fans will remember it for the most explosive offense since Urban Meyer left Gainesville.

It was a really fun season that culminated with the last SEC Championship Game appearance. Quarterback Kyle Trask threw 43 touchdowns on the season, and he navigated a difficult time in college football with explosive plays. On Dan Mullen‘s team, there were multiple first-roundnpicks, but the highest of those had a career-defining performance.

Kyle Pitts has the breakout game Florida Gators fans have waited for

The offense ran on the passing game with Trask at the helm, but the engine of it was tight end Kyle Pitts.

It’s been an up-and-down career for Pitts as he’s in his fifth season with the Atlanta Falcons. Being that he was the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, you’d expect a much more consistent career at this point. Even so, there is a lot of explosiveness to his game, and he was finally unleashed on Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

If it were just his first-half statistics, that would have been a great game in its own right. He caught six passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his elite combination of size and speed. Pitts finished the game with 11 receptions for 166 yards and three touchdowns.

“Kyle continues to be a great talent when it comes to his ability to separate and run,” said quarterback Kirk Cousins after the game. “Obviously he’s a big frame, and Zach did a great job designing, especially on a short week, ways to get Kyle opportunities. We were able to take advantage of them. But I did feel that between Zach and Kyle they did a lot of great things tonight to give me a chance to get it to them.”

Getting Pitts involved has been the toughest element of his career. From the tight end not being a heavy part of the game plan to quarterbacks who struggle to get him the football, it’s been a mixed bag. There is an element of trust between Pitts and Cousins, which has also factored into his breakout.

“I’ll say this, Kirk [Cousins] trusted me and me trying to win my isos – that was a big thing during the week, (Head) Coach Raheem [Morris] and Kirk, as well, preached. So, just being able to win my one-on-one and let the ball find me,” said Pitts.

With him set to hit free agency this offseason, Pitts could become one of the highest-paid players at the tight end position. If he finds a way to have another performance like this, the payday becomes that much more likely.

Related Articles