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DENVER, COLORADO - SEPTEMBER 07: Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos looks on during warm ups prior to the game against the Tennessee Titans during the game at Empower Field At Mile High on September 07, 2025 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
The Denver Broncos are expected to be aggressive this offseason, and one name that continues to surface is Kyle Pitts.
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Nothing has been formally reported linking Pitts to Denver. Still, some Broncos analysts have floated the idea as a potential splash move if the Atlanta Falcons let him reach free agency.
Pitts is coming off a breakout 2025 season with 88 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns. He reestablished himself as one of the more intriguing young tight ends in football.
The Broncos’ tight end room struggled to generate impact plays last season. Evan Engram never fully found his footing in Sean Payton’s offense, while the rest of the group offered more as blockers than pass-catching threats.
The position remains a clear offseason need.
With quarterback Bo Nix still on a rookie contract, adding a legitimate mismatch weapon at tight end could make sense.
A True Mismatch Weapon for the Broncos’ Offense
Payton has long valued versatility at tight end. He often describes the position as a “Joker” role.
At 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds, Pitts moves more like a wide receiver than a traditional inline tight end. He can line up outside, in the slot, or attached to the formation.
His 928-yard campaign ranked second among all tight ends, trailing only Trey McBride. It showed he can still handle a high target share when featured properly.
For Denver, it comes down to surrounding Nix with more playmakers. The offense lacked a consistent middle-of-the-field threat last season.
Pitts’ size and catch radius would give Payton more flexibility in personnel groupings and in the red zone.
If the Broncos want to take a real swing offensively, this is the type of move that could elevate the unit.
Broncos Cap Space, Contracts and Reality
Of course, this move is far from guaranteed.
Atlanta could use the franchise tag on Pitts, which would cost roughly $16 million for one season. A long-term deal is also possible. He is just 25 and coming off his best season since being drafted No. 4 overall in 2021.
According to Spotrac, Pitts is projected to land a deal around four years and $43 million, meaning the Broncos would likely be looking at roughly $10-12 million per year if they chose to pursue him in free agency.
Denver has its own financial considerations as well. Engram remains under contract, and releasing him would trigger a notable dead cap hit.
The Broncos are in a healthier cap position after moving on from Russell Wilson. Still, they must decide if investing heavily at tight end is the best use of resources.
Committing big money to Pitts also carries risk. His 2025 totals were boosted by one 166-yard, three-touchdown explosion and a brief three-game surge.
Much of the rest of his season, and even his career, has been inconsistent. He has rarely matched the sky-high expectations that followed him into the league.
If Denver truly wants to go big, though, this move would qualify.