The Atlanta Falcons are set to place the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler confirmed Monday. The fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft and the highest-drafted tight end in league history, Pitts is coming off the best season of his professional career.
He finished second among all tight ends with 928 receiving yards in 2025, earning second-team All-Pro honors in the process. Atlanta had until Mar 3 to apply the tag.
As Fowler wrote on X:
“Falcons plan to franchise tag tight end Kyle Pitts, source confirms. This was the expectation league wide, and now Atlanta locks it in.”
Pitts Delivered in a Contract Year, But Skepticism Around a Long-Term Deal Remains
Miami Dolphins, Kyle Pitts, NFL
Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. (8) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Playing on his $10.88 million fifth-year option in 2025, Pitts put together the most complete year of his career. He finished with 88 catches on 118 targets and five touchdowns, setting personal records in both categories.
His 74.6% catch rate was the best of his career as well.
Three of those five touchdowns came in a single Week 15 performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a record-breaking game that sharpened the league’s focus on him heading into free agency.
Still, not everyone in league circles is convinced about a long-term commitment. One personnel executive told Jason La Canfora of SportsBoom:
“He didn’t really look like he really wanted it until it was time to get paid. That’s a big red flag for me.”
That concern makes the one-year tag a reasonable position for Atlanta to take. The franchise tag for tight ends in 2026 is valued at roughly $16 million, fully guaranteed.
Stefanski’s Tight End-Friendly Offense Could Define What Comes Next for Pitts in Atlanta
Atlanta Falcons Expected to Place Franchise Tag on Tight End Kyle Pitts
Atlanta Falcons Expected to Place Franchise Tag on Tight End Kyle Pitts (Imagn Image)
New head coach Kevin Stefanski, brought in after six seasons leading the Cleveland Browns, consistently featured tight ends at the center of his offense. David Njoku was a regular target leader during that run.
Last season, Cleveland rookie Harold Fannin posted 72 catches, 731 yards, and six touchdowns under Stefanski. New Falcons offensive coordinator Tommy Rees worked alongside him in Cleveland throughout that stretch.
This will be just the fourth time in franchise history Atlanta has used the franchise tag, following punter Michael Koenen in 2009, cornerback Brent Grimes in 2012, and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett in 2019.
With the Falcons holding no first-round pick in the 2026 draft, new general manager Ian Cunningham is still shaping his long-term roster vision.
A productive year under Stefanski could build the trust needed to get a multi-year deal done before the Jul 15 extension deadline. Without that, Pitts would play 2026 on the tag and re-enter free agency next spring, with both sides back at square one.