That Atlanta Falcons have a lot of work to do this offseason. They were 8-9 last year and finished the season on a 2-6 hot streak. The lone bright spot during that dismal late-season run was the chance to see future starter Michael Penix, Jr. get his first game action.
While the Falcons’ offense is actually in decent shape overall, it would be in much better shape if they could finally get something out of Kyle Pitts, the former University of Florida tight end who was drafted No. 4 in the 2021 NFL Draft.
According to Aaron Schatz of ESPN, the Falcons might look to get production out of him simply by trading him.
“Pitts has never matched the heights of his 1,026-yard rookie season, nor has he matched expectations as the No. 4 overall pick,” Schatz writes. “It’s very unlikely that the Falcons extend or re-sign him after the 2025 season, so perhaps the best thing is to get some value for him now and let him see what he can do with a change of scenery.”
Pretty much everyone agrees with that scenario (especially the Falcons), but some of Schatz’ suggestions are a bit curious.
Schatz thinks the Jets, Giants or Eagles could be a fit for Pitts
So far this offseason, if any NFL team has the slightest possible need at tight end, then the Falcons and Pitts have been linked to them in a trade rumor.
“The Jets might be an interesting landing spot for Pitts, as he could play next to rookie Mason Taylor in two-TE sets,” Schatz continues. “The Giants could also use an upgrade at the position. Even the Eagles might be an interesting trade target, as Dallas Goedert is now 30 years old.”
The New York Jets are possible, but as Schatz notes, they just drafted Taylor in the second-round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of LSU. It’s tough to see tight end being a pressing need for them. And the Jets don’t really need more weapons, they just need to stop being the Jets. Talent isn’t really an issue for them.
The New York Giants are an easy guess for anyone, because they are always an option…for everything.
On one hand, the Philadelphia Eagles are a ridiculous idea as a Pitts landing spot. They still have Goedert, a loaded roster and minimal cap wiggle room. Then again, don’t ever put anything past general manager Howie Roseman even if it might not make sense on paper. So, there’s that.
It’s a make-or-break season for Pitts
Pitts is currently playing under the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, and PFF recently produced a list of each NFL team’s “make-or-break” player for 2025. It’s wouldn’t take a genius to think that Pitts would be that player for Atlanta.
“Pitts seems to be on his last legs in Atlanta, with trade rumors floating around throughout the spring,” PFF’s Dalton Wasserman writes. “He enters the 2025 season in the final year of his rookie contract after posting a career-low 63.9 PFF receiving grade last season.
“Pitts needs to find his form as a receiver with Michael Penix Jr. now as his quarterback. If he doesn’t, the former fourth-overall pick could struggle to maintain a lengthy NFL career, especially because of his lack of blocking impact.”
Blocking impact might be the least of his worries. One NFL agent told Heavy recently that Pitts might simply not be good enough to play the position at all.
“He looks like he doesn’t care,” the agent said. “He’s a tremendous athlete, but a below-average tight end. If he doesn’t win with athleticism, he’s not a savvy route runner who can get open at the top of his routes. He brings next to nothing to the run game.”
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