Kyle Pitts is one of the most notable potential free agents of the NFL offseason after turning in arguably the best season of his career, but the Atlanta Falcons reportedly could use their franchise tag to make sure he remains on the roster.
“There’s some momentum around the league right now as I talk to people that Pitts could be franchise tagged at $16.3 million,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday. “So, a lot of people I’ve talked to with other teams, other agents, think that that will happen. Atlanta has not made a firm determination yet on Pitts’ future, but if he does get to free agency, he’s going to make a lot of coins. He’s going to be looking for improved quarterback play.”
While the No. 4 pick of the 2021 NFL draft has been inconsistent at times during his career, he was largely excellent in 2025. He tallied 88 catches for 928 yards and five touchdowns, and the catch and touchdown numbers were career-best marks.
In fact, he has increased his touchdown catch total by exactly one every season of his career since he had a single touchdown as a rookie in 2021.
Quarterback is likely the biggest question mark for the Falcons at this point, as Michael Penix Jr. suffered a torn ACL in November. ESPN’s Adam Schefter also reported this month that Kirk Cousins is expected to be released prior to the start of the new league year in March.
Whether it is Penix or someone else under center for the Falcons, having Pitts at tight end would make the quarterback’s job much easier.
The Florida product is a matchup nightmare with his combination of size and athleticism, and he seemed to put it all together in his age-25 season in 2025 after some up-and-down years following his impressive rookie campaign in 2021 when he posted 1,026 receiving yards.
Given Pitts’ overall inconsistency, a franchise tag could be an ideal option for the Falcons.
It would give them one more season to evaluate his overall play to make sure 2025 wasn’t a fluke, and he can elevate the immediate ceiling for whoever is under center. The NFC South will also be wide open after the Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers all tied at 8-9, so a game-changing tight end could make the difference in the divisional race.
An offense with Pitts, Bijan Robinson and Drake London is dangerous even with quarterback question marks, and Atlanta could use the franchise tag to ensure that group stays together.
