Atlanta’s new management isn’t interested in letting a former first-round pick hit free agency.
The Falcons plan to franchise Kyle Pitts, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport on Monday.
Pitts became a Falcon in 2021 when Atlanta spent the fourth overall pick on the Florida product, immediately placing high expectations on his shoulders as a dynamic athlete with the potential to become a nightmare for opposing defenses. He’s never reached that high, but he’s also played under two different head coaches and two offensive coaches in five seasons while running routes for elite quarterbacks: Matt Ryan, Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke, Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr.
With this in mind, the general belief was that Atlanta could let Pitts try free agency instead of hammering out an extension with the 2021 Pro Bowler. Instead, new coach Kevin Stefanski — a man with a history of running tight ends and relying on two tight ends — and new general manager Ian Cunningham have decided they’d rather prevent Pitts from leaving altogether by committing to pay him $16.3 million through 2026 while retaining the option of a multi-year deal.
Rapoport added that a long-term deal that replaces the tag is indeed the Falcons’ preferred outcome, and the teams will have until July 15 to agree on one.