The Atlanta Falcons have decided to use the franchise tag on Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Pitts Sr., a step aimed at keeping him on the roster through the 2026 NFL season. This decision comes ahead of the NFL’s deadline for teams to apply franchise or transition tags, which falls next Tuesday, just before free agency begins. The franchise tag guarantees Pitts a one-year salary while extending the team’s control over his contract unless a long-term agreement is reached.
Salary Details and Contract Negotiation Timeline
For the 2026 season, the franchise tag salary for tight ends like Pitts is estimated to be $16,319,000, based on the top five average salaries at the position. Atlanta and Pitts have until July 15 to come to terms on a multi-year contract extension. If they fail to reach an agreement by then, Pitts will play the entire 2026 season under the franchise tag’s one-year deal.
Pitts’ Strong Comeback and Bright Prospects
At 25 years old, Kyle Pitts rebounded impressively last season, ranking second among tight ends with 88 receptions and 928 receiving yards, trailing only Arizona Cardinals’ Trey McBride. He set a personal best with five touchdown catches on the year, earning him AP second-team All-Pro honors. A standout moment occurred in December against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers when Pitts recorded 11 catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns. This performance made him the first tight end since Shannon Sharpe in 1996 to have at least 150 receiving yards and three touchdowns in a single game.
Early Success and Recent Challenges Amid Team Changes
Kyle Pitts entered the NFL as the fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft from Florida, making an immediate impact by surpassing 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie with 68 catches. He became the first tight end to do so since Mike Ditka in 1961, securing a Pro Bowl spot in his first season, an achievement unseen for tight ends since Jeremy Shockey in 2002. However, from 2022 through 2024, Pitts faced obstacles including a torn MCL in 2022 and inconsistent performances. During these seasons, he failed to surpass 700 yards receiving and contended with instability at the quarterback position, having six different quarterbacks—Matt Ryan, Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke, Kirk Cousins, and Michael Penix Jr.—throwing to him over five years.
Leadership Shift Hints at Strategic Changes Favoring Pitts
The Falcons organization has recently experienced major leadership transformations. Matt Ryan, Pitts’ quarterback during his remarkable rookie year, has moved into the role of Falcons president of football operations. Ryan led the panel that hired Kevin Stefanski, previously head coach of the Cleveland Browns and former tight ends coach, as the new Falcons head coach. Alongside Stefanski, Ian Cunningham, formerly assistant general manager of the Chicago Bears, was named general manager. Stefanski’s background with tight ends suggests a possible focus on maximizing Pitts’ role in the Falcons’ offensive plans moving forward.
“We are committed to building a strong future around Kyle’s unique skill set.” ?Matt Ryan, Falcons President of Football Operations
This move to tag Kyle Pitts reflects the Falcons’ cautious optimism about his potential contribution and their intent to stabilize the tight end position amid recent uncertainties. By securing Pitts through the 2026 season, the Falcons buy time to see how new leadership and coaching strategies can elevate his performance and perhaps extend a longer-term partnership. The coming months will be critical as contract talks progress and the franchise aims to retain one of the league’s premier tight ends amidst a competitive NFL landscape.
