The news over the weekend that Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts may be available for the right price is just the latest trade rumor to hit the public eye. And while there appears to be nothing imminent about Pitts and his status with Atlanta in the weeks and months ahead, it does bear watching as the Falcons look towards not just 2025 but also their long-term future with young quarterback Michael Penix Jr. at the helm.

Is Pitts a core piece of that future? If he’s not, entertaining trade offers would certainly seem like a wise play. Pitts is a potential free agent loss for the Falcons next year if they choose not to land a contract extension with the former fourth-overall draft choice from 2021. 

Based on the fact that Pitts is reportedly being entertained to be moved for the right price, which is reportedly a Day Two draft choice? It does not seem like a sure thing that Pitts will be a part of the Penix Jr. build.

The recipe for a team that could come calling and be in position to give the Falcons a “serious” offer does require a few specific ingredients. The team must be in a position to initially onboard Pitts’ $10.878 million salary for this season, which is not prorated and fully guaranteed. The team would also need to possess the draft capital necessary on Day Two of the 2026 NFL Draft — the more picks, the better.

A need at tight end would seem logical but Pitts does blur the lines at times between a wide receiver and a tight end, so any team in need of more weapons in the passing game could feasibly be considered a fit on that front. The last thing that teams should consider amid a potential bid for a Kyle Pitts trade would be how well they can accommodate a pass catcher who blurs the lines in the ways that Pitts does. Pitts was at his best as a rookie when allowed to isolate and use his size on the boundary.

The Falcons used Pitts much more frequently underneath in 2024 in their new offensive scheme under offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. His slot usage and perimeter usage on passing downs were both at an all-time low in 2024 and nearly 40% of his pass routes came from an in-line position.

Teams eyeing a potential Pitts addition should be mindful of all of these details. With that in mind, here are five teams who should consider filing a "serious" trade offer to the Falcons for Kyle Pitts.

5. The Pittsburgh Steelers

Current cap space: $31,884,912
2026 Day 2 Draft picks: Three (2nd-round, Two 3rd-round)
Notable offensive coach: Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith

Why they should offer: The Steelers are apparently in the market for another pass-catching weapon to pair with DK Metcalf and have been tied for former Arthur Smith favorite, Jonnu Smith out of Miami. Pitts was another Arthur Smith favorite, though, and he gives the Steelers another big-bodied target who can play on the perimeter at times and would, in theory, be cheaper long-term than another wide receiver after paying Metcalf the big bucks. The Steelers have the most Day Two draft capital in 2026 of any team on this list, too, thanks to their trade of WR George Pickens to Dallas.

Why they might not: Pittsburgh’s tight end room is pretty crowded and the team is already paying a handsome fee to Pat Freiermuth. Would they want to absorb two potential big contracts at the position? Plus, this team is still waiting out Aaron Rodgers’ commitment and those financial terms could get squeezed by acquiring Pitts.

4. The Tennessee Titans

Current cap space: $30,170,123
2026 Day 2 Draft picks: Two (2nd-round, 3rd-round)
Notable offensive coach: Head coach Brian Callahan

Why they should offer: Callahan saw what big-bodied pass catchers can do in Cincinnati, although the Bengals never quite had someone like Pitts. He was also present in Detroit for when the Lions boasted TE Eric Ebron — who shares some similarities in his receiving profile. The Titans have the ultimate rookie contract luxury with five years of control on QB Cam Ward and the team should be incentivized to put the best possible supporting cast around him.

Why they might not: There’s some youth at tight end, including a fourth-round draft choice from this year’s class in Gunnar Helm. The Titans are paying handsomely for their offensive line group, too — do they want to drop that much cash into one side of the ball? Lastly, Tennessee just finished with the No. 1 overall pick this past season so they are at risk of surrendering a significantly higher pick if they do not improve this season.

3. The Los Angeles Chargers

Current cap space: $26,845,361
2026 Day 2 Draft picks: Two (2nd-round, 3rd-round)
Notable offensive coach: Offensive coordinator Greg Roman

Why they should offer: Greg Roman has lost some of his shine but few play “heavy” personnel groupings better. Everything about the Chargers’ offseason has been “big”, too. Mekhi Becton at guard, Mike Williams and Tre Harris at wide receiver, Najee Harris and Omarion Hampton at running back — if the shoe fits, right?

Why they might not: The Chargers are getting ready to pay Rashawn Slater the big bucks. Trading for Pitts and having him skip the line doesn’t set a great precedent. There are some other young, promising players that will be due soon as well and Justin Herbert’s already on a sizable contract.

2. The New York Jets

Current cap space: $36,797,430
2026 Day 2 Draft picks: One (2nd-round)
Notable offensive coach: Senior Assistant/Pass Game Coordinator Scott Turner

Why they should offer: The Jets need more pass catchers, period. Garrett Wilson can’t do it all by himself and right now it looks like he might be shouldering the load like Atlas once again this season. The Jets could really lean into quarterback Justin Fields’ run dynamics by playing more 12 personnel and stressing teams’ ability to match and run coverage with Wilson, Pitts and second-round draft choice Mason Taylor.

Why they might not: I personally don’t view Mason Taylor as a deterrent here, but they might. Taylor was moved all around the set for LSU and has a variety of abilities. Would Pitts potentially bog him down? Plus, the Jets need to prioritize paying their young stars like Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner. Trading draft capital without a known commodity or investment at quarterback is risky.

1. The New England Patriots

Current cap space: $67,343,740
2026 Day 2 Draft picks: Two (2nd-round, 3rd-round)
Notable offensive coach: Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels

Why they should offer: The Patriots are currently in a position to view finances as inconsequential. They have Monopoly money compared to the rest of the league, as evidenced by some of their free agent dealings this spring. And with Drake Maye in tow and renowned offensive play-caller Josh McDaniels seemingly set to never leave New England, the Patriots have all the makings of a team ripe to call Atlanta. They’ve been desperate to upgrade the pass catching situation but have not had much luck in free agency, either. As an added bonus, the Patriots currently already own two fourth-round picks for 2026.

Why they might not: …maybe they really like Austin Hooper and Jaheim Bell?

Steelers find themselves in a win-win situation regarding latest Pro Bowl trade rumors as long as the price is right

The Pittsburgh Steelers are certainly leaving no stone unturned in their hunt for a breakout on offense in 2025. While the flirtation with quarterback Aaron Rodgers continues into the end of May, the Steelers currently seem more intent on investing in other parts of their offense — particularly another prominent pass catcher to pair with […]