Falcons Plan to Use 1-Year Franchise Tag Worth More Than $15 Million on TE Kyle Pitts, Aiming for Long-Term Deal

Jason Dayee
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr.

The Atlanta Falcons are planning to place the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The move ensures the standout playmaker remains with the team on a one-year, fully guaranteed deal worth more than $15 million.

While the franchise tag secures Pitts for the 2026 season, both sides have expressed a preference for negotiating a long-term contract. The two parties have until July 15 to reach an agreement.

A Breakout Season Validates the Investment

Pitts’ 2025 campaign proved to be the breakthrough year Atlanta had been waiting for since selecting him fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. After several seasons of underwhelming production, the 25-year-old tight end posted career-high numbers with 88 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns.

His performance was particularly impressive down the stretch. In his final six games, Pitts caught 39 passes for 469 yards and four touchdowns. Extrapolated over a full 17-game season, those numbers would translate to 111 receptions, 1,329 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The strong finish placed Pitts second among all NFL tight ends in both receptions and receiving yards, trailing only Arizona’s Trey McBride.

A Turbulent Path to Success

Pitts entered the NFL with enormous expectations following a dominant junior season at Florida, where he caught 12 touchdown passes in eight games and earned All-American honors. His rookie year offered promise, as he hauled in 68 passes for 1,026 yards en route to a Pro Bowl selection, though he found the end zone just once.

The following years proved challenging. An injury-shortened 2022 campaign limited Pitts to 10 games, during which he managed only 28 receptions for 356 yards and two scores while catching just 47.5 percent of his targets.

His production remained stagnant through 2023 and 2024. He posted 53 catches for 667 yards and three touchdowns in 2023, followed by 47 receptions for 602 yards and four scores in 2024.

Despite the struggles, Atlanta exercised Pitts’ fifth-year option during the 2024 offseason, signaling their belief in his potential. That faith appeared tested when Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reported in May that multiple teams had contacted the Falcons about a possible trade for Pitts. Atlanta ultimately declined to move him, a decision that paid dividends when he rediscovered his form in 2025.

What’s Next for Pitts and Atlanta

The franchise tag gives the Falcons flexibility while keeping Pitts off the open market when free agency begins next month. The $15 million-plus price tag reflects the team’s commitment to retaining one of their most talented offensive weapons.

With nearly five months to negotiate a long-term deal, both sides have time to work through the details of what could be a lucrative extension for Pitts. His resurgent 2025 season provides solid leverage for his camp while giving the Falcons confidence that they’re investing in the elite tight end they envisioned when they drafted him five years ago.

Originally from Staten Island, New York, I’ve spent most of my adult life in Arizona, where my passion for sports continues to grow. A proud University of Arizona graduate, I developed my journalism skills covering mostly football, basketball, and a few other sports for the Daily Wildcat and UATV-3.

Now covering the Kansas City Chiefs for Total Apex Sports, I aim to tell authentic stories that highlight the journeys, triumphs, and challenges of athletes today. I’m passionate about connecting with readers through honest and insightful coverage that reflects my deep love for the game.