The Atlanta Falcons aren’t letting one of their most talented players reach the open market.
Atlanta plans to place the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday. General manager Ian Cunningham confirmed Tuesday that the team intends to apply the tag this week.
“We’re not in the business of letting go of really good players,” Cunningham said in an interview with 92.9 The Game, via the team’s website.
Selected fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Florida, Pitts arrived in Atlanta with massive expectations as a rare athletic talent at the tight end position. While he hasn’t consistently matched the lofty projections, Pitts has also navigated significant change — playing under two head coaches and two offensive coordinators while catching passes from a rotating group of quarterbacks that has included Matt Ryan, Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke, Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr..
Given that context, there had been speculation the Falcons might allow Pitts to test free agency rather than commit to a lucrative extension. Instead, new head coach Kevin Stefanski — known for featuring tight ends prominently in his offense — and Cunningham opted for the franchise tag, projected to pay Pitts $16.3 million for the 2026 season. The move also gives both sides additional time to negotiate a long-term deal, which Rapoport reports is the preferred outcome. The deadline to finalize a multi-year agreement is July 15.
Pitts burst onto the scene with a 1,000-yard rookie season in 2021, his lone year with Ryan at quarterback. He followed with back-to-back 600-yard campaigns in 2023 and 2024 before turning in one of his most complete seasons in 2025, setting career highs with 88 receptions and five touchdown catches while totaling 928 receiving yards.
With Stefanski installing a new system and Penix expected to lead the offense, Atlanta is betting Pitts’ best football is still ahead. By tagging him, the Falcons ensure one of their most dynamic weapons remains in place as they build toward 2026.
