So many within the Atlanta Falcons organization had been waiting for it to happen, but it took nearly five years and 75 games for Kyle Pitts to truly break out into the dynamic playmaker everyone hoped he would be. But then again, it was just one game. Was that enough?
That game came in Week 15 on Thursday Night Football against the rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when Pitts finally showcased his full skill set. The former first-round pick caught 11 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns in a career performance.
But wasn’t this supposed to happen long before now? After all, there was a reason the Falcons made him the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history at No. 4 overall.
Head coach Raheem Morris said the plan was always for Pitts to have a big night, especially with Atlanta shorthanded offensively, including the absence of WR1 Drake London.
“He was there as the No. 1 wideout, so to speak. He got the targets Drake would normally get,” Morris said, per Marc Raimondi.
Even so, it raises a fair question: if Pitts is capable of this, why wasn’t making him a focal point the plan all along? Regardless, last Thursday may have earned Pitts a payday — just not necessarily from Atlanta.
Kyle Pitts’ Return to Falcons Next Season Put in Doubt
In her weekly newsletter, Falcons senior reporter Tori McElhaney addressed a fan question about Pitts’ future with the team.
“I do think Pitts will ultimately out-price what Atlanta would be able to give him this offseason,” McElhaney wrote. “If the Falcons had more money to play with, maybe they could make something work — that’s also assuming Pitts would want to — but at this point in time, that doesn’t seem particularly likely. Especially when you consider players like Kaden Elliss and Tyler Allgeier are also due for new deals or free agency.”
Pitts’ market value has already jumped, from an estimated $11.8 million per year on a four-year, $47 million deal to roughly $14.1 million annually on a four-year, $56 million contract, per Spotrac. Even the lower figure may have been unrealistic for Atlanta.
According to McElhaney, the Falcons’ projected 2026 cap space sits under $1 million, with effective space just shy of $11 million. Any deal with Pitts would require major roster movement — starting with quarterback Kirk Cousins.
Kirk Cousins’ Cap Hit Is a Disaster for Atlanta
Beyond decisions on Elliss and Allgeier, Atlanta’s quarterback situation complicates everything. Michael Penix Jr. is expected to miss at least part of next season while recovering from an ACL tear. Meanwhile, Kirk Cousins remains under contract — and that deal is the real problem.
Cousins carries a $57.5 million cap hit in 2026, nearly 20 percent of Atlanta’s total cap. Trading him would be the cleanest solution, but that option failed to materialize this season and looks unlikely again.
Cutting Cousins before June 1 would free up immediate cap relief but saddle the Falcons with significant dead money, extending into 2027. A post–June 1 designation would spread the financial hit over multiple seasons, easing short-term flexibility but delaying full relief.
Either way, Cousins’ contract limits Atlanta’s ability to retain Pitts without sacrificing elsewhere.
Bringing Pitts back could make sense — especially if Week 15 wasn’t a fluke. But it may not matter much if there’s no clear answer at quarterback throwing him the ball.
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