The Atlanta Falcons’ offseason was already making news with the Kirk Cousins-Michael Penix Jr. quarterback drama. Now, another story is beginning to steal the headlines: Kyle Pitts’ future. Dubbed a generational talent, Pitts’ name is now seemingly surfacing in trade rumors, just four years removed from the Falcons selecting him fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
According to Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, several teams have contacted Atlanta wanting to know about Pitts and are pondering making an offer, and while the Falcons “prefer” to keep him, they’re not shutting the door on trade opportunities.
This is after the team is starting a new chapter with Head Coach Raheem Morris and sets out to construct around Penix Jr. Both Cousins and Pitts missing the start of voluntary OTAs, trade rumors have now mounted as the Falcons have huge roster decisions they need to make ahead of the 2025 season.
Falcons’ Loyalty In Doubt as Pitts’ Fate Is Uncertain
Kyle Pitts’ Atlanta career has been tumultuous since his breakout rookie season of 2021 when he gained 1,026 yards and looked every inch the superstar he was drafted to be. Since then, though, the former Florida standout has struggled to be consistent, at least in part due to injuries, inconsistent quarterback play, and bad usage by former Head Coach Arthur Smith.
In his last two seasons, Pitts has accumulated just 1,625 receiving yards on 44 games—a far cry from what was on tap when he set the most highly drafted tight end in NFL history. Despite the inconsistency, though, Pitts is still only 24 years old and is commonly regarded as a player who could still grow into the right system. The Falcons picked up his fifth-year option in April, signing him to $10.9 million this season, but have yet to make a move toward an extension.
Morris admitted Pitts is under pressure due to his draft value but offered little reassurance about his future, saying the team will “make the right decision for the Falcons.” That ambiguity, plus Pitts missing OTAs and rumored to be averse to playing out the final year of his rookie deal, has only added to trade speculation.
Potential Suitors and Trade Market Expectations
With his youth, draft pedigree, and unorthodox athleticism at tight end, Pitts would draw serious interest from multiple franchises—most notably those that desire to augment their passing attack with a receiving tight end who still possesses upside. The Dallas Cowboys could be the perfect match. With Jerry Jones already making a stir this offseason and $30 million in cap space remaining, bringing in Pitts would give Dak Prescott a deadly in-the-box target to pair with George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. Pitts’ upside is the kind of aggressive action the Cowboys are accustomed to taking when they think of an opportunity to improve.
Another team to watch out for is the Jacksonville Jaguars. Pitts played college football about an hour outside Jacksonville, and while Jacksonville did sign rookie wide receiver Travis Hunter, losing Evan Engram puts them in the hole at tight end. Pitts would thrive in a rebuilt offense with Trevor Lawrence, Brian Thomas Jr., and Christian Kirk, giving Jacksonville one of the more explosive receiving tandems in the AFC. His positional versatility would be a nightmare for any defense to match up against.
Another logical dark-horse pick would be the New York Giants. Sure, they are tight on cap space, but Pitts’ youth and future upside make him a compelling addition as the team transitions to Jaxson Dart in the coming years. Pairing Pitts with incoming rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers and veteran quarterback Russell Wilson could provide an instant boost to an offense that has been trying to find playmakers. For teams like the Giants, Pitts is a short- and long-term bet on offensive explosiveness.
As for the trade compensation, Atlanta would require at least a Day 2 pick, as reported. That would be a second or third-rounder, but a desperate team in need of a playmaker—or one looking to roll the dice on Pitts’ upside—can make the deal sweeter with conditional picks or a future trade package. The cost won’t be cheap for a tight end with such a resume and upside.
Final Thoughts
Kyle Pitts’ Atlanta tenure may be ending. While the Falcons assert that they’d rather keep him, the move—and the lack of talk about contract discussions—says otherwise. With teams having expressed interest and the Falcons likely looking to rebuild their offense around Penix Jr., the time may now be right for a change of scenery. A trade of Pitts would be a jarring about-face for team and player alike.
