The Falcons are making the only right decision with tight end Kyle Pitts this offseason
This one is a no-brainer.
Kyle Pitts‘ run with the Atlanta Falcons has been a roller coaster.
A phenomenal rookie season was followed by some injury ailments before an exclamation point of a year in 2025. Pitts exploded for big numbers once again this season, making the most of a contract year that had him poised to cash in on a big deal. Perhaps the big contract will still come — but a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has the Falcons putting an extra step between him and that big money deal. They’re reportedly set to use the franchise tag on Pitts in 2026.
Falcons reportedly set to use the franchise tag on TE Kyle Pitts
Pitts logged a career-high 88 receptions in 2025, plus a career-best 5 receiving touchdowns. And thanks to the modest pay scale that tight ends are receiving relative to other positions across the NFL, retaining Pitts on a one-year, fully guaranteed franchise tag is going to clock somewhere just north of $15 million.
That’s average starting wide receiver money and below-average pass rusher money. Tight end has long been considered a “non-premium” position. But when you have a difference-maker at that spot, it becomes a deluxe tool for an offense to highlight.
It’s a no-brainer decision for Atlanta. The two sides will get a chance to work on a long-term, multi-year deal over the course of the next several months, but this move proactively protects the Falcons from seeing Pitts hit the open market and subsequently see his market price driven through the roof. The crop of free agents across the league this offseason is modest and Pitts had a chance to rank near the top of the league in long-term signings. The Falcons’ new leadership has slammed the door shut on those chance — and rightfully so.
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The NFL needs to go ahead and make a final decision on this.
