Kyle Pitts.
Getty
TE Kyle Pitts.
The franchise tag window is officially closed for teams looking to extend certain players on their roster for another season. The Atlanta Falcons were one that decided to use it for the first time in years for tight end Kyle Pitts.
Pitts will now make $15 million in 2026, the most annually in his career to date. The Falcons decided against an extension for now and will look for the fifth-year tight end to prove himself under new team leadership led by head coach Kevin Stefanski.
“… It would be understandable if the team wanted to see another year of evidence that what happened in 2025 was sustainable,” SI’s Albert Breer wrote.
With the Falcons implementing the franchise tag on Pitts, the thought behind it was that he had secured another year in Atlanta. But CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones says not to be so sure about that.
Falcons Could Still Explore Trade Options for Kyle Pitts
Thanks to actions made by the previous leadership of Raheem Morris and Terry Fontenot, Stefanski, new general manager Ian Cunningham and president of football Matt Ryan now have to find a way to fix the roster, starting with the 2026 NFL Draft.
“New Falcons GM Ian Cunningham said last week that 2026 will be ‘the last year we ever have five picks’ in the upcoming draft. One way to get picks is to deal current players,” Jones wrote.
The Falcons certainly have players with trade value who could help bring in additional picks. However, Jones noted that the team’s biggest stars likely won’t be the ones involved in those discussions.
“While the Falcons would never trade standout running back Bijan Robinson, and while an extension for wideout Drake London is sure to materialize in the coming months, teams could inquire on franchise-tagged tight end Kyle Pitts,” Jones continued. “His $15 million tag is a reasonable number off which to work a deal.”
Atlanta currently holds just five picks in the 2026 NFL Draft and does not have a first-round selection.
The reason for that absence stems from last year’s decision to trade back into the first round to select edge rusher James Pearce Jr.
At the time, the move appeared to pay off on the field, as Pearce finished the season with 10.5 sacks. However, his recent legal troubles have created uncertainty surrounding his future with the team.
Kyle Pitts Has Been Mentioned in Trade Talks Before
The possibility of Pitts being moved isn’t entirely new.
In fact, the tight end has been loosely connected to trade speculation dating back to last season.
Since his standout rookie campaign, when he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards, injuries and inconsistent performances have slowed the momentum many expected from the former No. 4 overall pick.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Falcons were willing to listen to offers for Pitts as far back as last June. At the time, however, the tight end reportedly “loved” Atlanta and was not actively seeking a trade, though he was open to playing in a situation where he might be featured more prominently.
Pitts did rebound last season.
He recorded a career-high 88 receptions for 928 yards while also matching a career-best five touchdown receptions.
For now, the franchise tag gives both sides a bit more time to evaluate the situation.
The hope for Pitts is that another productive season will convince Atlanta’s new brass that he deserves a long-term extension rather than becoming a potential trade piece.