Falcons Set to Place Franchise Tag on Star Tight End Kyle Pitts

United States - Ekhbary News Agency

Falcons Plan Franchise Tag for Tight End Kyle Pitts

Atlanta, GA – In a significant move to retain one of their most dynamic offensive weapons, the Atlanta Falcons are reportedly preparing to place the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts. The decision, revealed Monday by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, is a strategic play to keep the Pro Bowl-caliber player under contract for at least the 2026 season, securing one of the league's top talents at the position.

The franchise tag is a valuable tool for NFL teams, allowing them to retain control of key players whose contracts are expiring. According to OverTheCap.com, the projected tag value for tight ends in 2026 is approximately $16,319,000. This designation provides the Falcons with an extended window to negotiate a long-term contract with Pitts. The deadline for both parties to reach an agreement on a multi-year deal is July 15; if no contract is finalized by then, Pitts would play the 2026 season on the one-year tender.

The NFL's deadline for applying franchise or transition tags is fast approaching next Tuesday, with the free agency period set to commence the following week. This timing underscores the urgency for teams to solidify their rosters and make critical decisions regarding player contracts.

Pitts, 25, enjoyed a resurgent season in the most recent campaign, finishing second among all tight ends in receptions with 88 and accumulating 928 receiving yards. He trailed only Trey McBride of the Arizona Cardinals in these categories. Pitts also posted a career-high five touchdown catches and earned Second-Team All-Pro honors, signaling a significant rebound after facing challenges in previous years.

His performance last season included one of the most dominant individual games ever by a tight end. In a December matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pitts recorded 11 receptions for 166 yards and three touchdowns. This remarkable outing made him the first tight end to achieve at least 150 receiving yards with three touchdowns in a single game since Shannon Sharpe accomplished the feat in 1996, showcasing his game-changing potential.

The path to this point has not been without its hurdles. Pitts experienced a dip in production and dealt with injuries between the 2022 and 2024 seasons, a stark contrast to his record-breaking rookie year in 2021. During his debut season, Pitts amassed 1,026 receiving yards on 68 catches. He was the first tight end since Mike Ditka in 1961 to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie and the first tight end since Jeremy Shockey in 2002 to make the Pro Bowl. These early accolades highlight the immense expectations placed upon him.

Adding an interesting layer to the narrative, Matt Ryan, Pitts' former quarterback during his standout rookie season, now serves as the Falcons' new President of Football Operations. Ryan was instrumental in the hiring process that brought in Kevin Stefanski, formerly the head coach of the Cleveland Browns, as the team's new head coach, and Ian Cunningham, previously the assistant general manager for the Chicago Bears, as the new general manager. Stefanski's background includes coaching tight ends, and he is known for incorporating the position effectively into his offensive schemes.

The 6-foot-6, 250-pound Pitts suffered an MCL tear in 2022 and failed to surpass 700 receiving yards in either the 2023 or 2024 seasons. Furthermore, he has endured significant quarterback instability throughout his five-year career, having thrown passes to six different signal-callers: Matt Ryan, Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke, Kirk Cousins, and Michael Penix Jr. This constant turnover at the most crucial offensive position has undoubtedly presented challenges for Pitts' consistent development and performance.

The Falcons selected Pitts with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, drawn to his rare combination of speed, size, and playmaking ability in open space. Placing the franchise tag signifies the organization's belief in his talent and its desire to keep him a central part of their offensive future, hoping he can fully realize his considerable potential.

Ekhbary News Agency