With Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk likely both out the door when the 2026 season rolls around, it’s no secret the San Francisco 49ers will be looking to add pass catchers.
Like Jennings, Kendrick Bourne is set to hit the open market, which leaves Ricky Pearsall, Jacob Cowing, Jordan Watkins and potentially Demarcus Robinson as the team’s only wideouts. But what if the Niners and head coach Kyle Shanahan added another tight end who has receiver-like traits?
Matt Barrows of The Athletic had an interesting idea about what San Francisco could do when free agency hits next year.
“As far as flashy signings, I wonder whether Shanahan would be interested in Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts as someone who could step into the ‘big slot’ role should Jennings move on,” Barrows wrote on December 3. “Shanahan had a similar player in Washington — and briefly with the 49ers — in Jordan Reed.”
Should the San Francisco 49ers Sign TE Kyle Pitts in 2026 Free Agency?
GettyKyle Pitts could be a free agent target for the San Francisco 49ers in 2026.
At 6-foot-6, 250-pound Pitts is a rare blend of athleticism and strength, and he’s just scratching the surface. Still just 25, Pitts entered the league as the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history after the Atlanta Falcons took him fourth overall in 2021.
He justified that selection immediately, posting a 68-catch, 1,026-yard Pro Bowl rookie season — one of the best ever by a first-year tight end. After an injury-shortened 2022 campaign, he had 53 catches for 667 yards and three scores in 2023, and 47 catches for 602 yards and four scores in 2024.
So far this season, he has hauled in 56 passes for 541 yards over 12 games.
Pitts is built like a power forward, but he moves like a wideout. At Florida, he clocked an unofficial 4.44 in the 40-yard dash and routinely got separation from corners — not linebackers.
He hasn’t had the type of consistent quarterback play in Atlanta that he would have in San Francisco, either.
Kyle Shanahan Would Likely Be Intrigued By Pitts
Pitts’ ability to play in-line, as well as to line up in the slot or split out wide would give Shanahan another ridiculous and versatile talent to work with. The big TE is a genuine matchup nightmare for safeties, corners and linebackers alike.
This isn’t to say the 49ers should or will part ways with George Kittle, either. Kittle is still an elite player, but he’ll be 33 during the 2026 season and has already battled multiple injuries. His extension runs through 2029, and adding Pitts would give San Francisco both a succession plan and an incredible one-two punch at tight end.
Depth pieces like Luke Farrell and Jake Tonges have been fine, but a Pitts-Kittle pairing would immediately become the NFL’s most difficult tight end duo to defend.
The 49ers have occasionally leaned too heavily on Christian McCaffrey and Kittle in the red zone. Pitts’ size and contested-catch ability would give Shanny and company another problem for defenses inside the 20.
Pitts is playing the 2025 season on his fully guaranteed fifth-year option. If Atlanta doesn’t extend him, the team could place the franchise tag on him. They could also let him walk.
If the Falcons let him go in 2026, San Francisco should absolutely be interested.
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