Added quarterback Kirk Cousins: “Kyle continues to be a great talent when it comes to his ability to separate and run, and obviously he’s got a big frame. (Offensive coordinator) Zac (Robinson) did a great job — especially in a short week — of designing ways to get Kyle opportunities, and we were able to capitalize on them. I thought Kyle did a lot to get those opportunities tonight. to him.”
After missing out on the playoffs this year, Atlanta (5-9) had little on its plate, but Pitts likely cashed in on prime time. He’s a free agent on a Falcons team that has plenty of uncertainty to deal with after such a disappointing campaign.
After a star-studded night like Thursday’s, Pitts is sure to have reminded many teams of the otherworldly potential that led to his historic draft pick, which was followed by a 1,000-yard rookie season — just one of three all-time for a rookie TE.
For example, how well would Pitts fit in the Kansas City Chiefs offense if future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce retires? Or even if he doesn’t?
With three more games secured with the Falcons, Pitts remains focused on the moments, though.
“I just stay in the present. I’m worried about today,” he said. “I don’t think too far past anything other than where my feet are and living in the moment.
Pitts played Thursday in Florida, where he shined for the Gators, serving as Cousins’ No. 1 receiver with Drake London inactive.
“Man, I love the great state of Florida,” Pitts said.
Pitts turned in a great first half of football, catching an 8-yard touchdown in the first quarter to put Atlanta on the board and followed with a 17-yard drive to the six with just 38 seconds left in the first half.
After the first 30 minutes of the game, Pitts had obliterated the Bucs’ formidable defense with six receptions for 111 yards and two scores.
“That was the plan,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said of targeting Pitts. “Kyle’s our guy. You’re down on some of your guys, like Drake and some of those types of guys, and Kyle has really filled that role and become the top dog. He’s done a great job. And tonight we talked about some of the plays that he didn’t make even when he had some of those good games the last two weeks, but he was made in big, big, big plays. plays after him. That’s stuff we expect.”
While Pitt’s “TNF” brilliance stands out at the second level, he’s been stacking a productive game as of late. With his performance in Week 15, he became the first Falcons tight end with three consecutive 80-plus-yard games.
He had six catches for 90 yards the previous week against a tough Seattle Seahawks defense and seven catches for another 82 in Week 13 against the New York Jets.
The highlights have ultimately been few and far between for the Falcons, who entered 2025 hoping to win the NFC South and make the playoffs for the first time since 2017. That didn’t happen.
On Thursday, however, the Falcons held a shocking rally.
Since 2000, Atlanta was 0-104-1 when trailing by 14-plus points in the fourth quarter before the comeback against the Buccaneers, according to NFL Research.
Down, 28-14, in the fourth, that comeback won’t happen without Pitts, who had four catches for 49 yards, two third downs and a TD in the final drive.
Pitts’ time in Atlanta so far has been uneventful overall, but whether he’s back with the Falcons next season or elsewhere in the league, the 25-year-old put together an impressive audition tape for his second NFL contract on Thursday.
“We’ve had our ups and downs throughout the year,” Pitts said. “Obviously it’s not fun to get eliminated early, but we’re resilient. The team we have, we’re just tight together, cohesive. We fought for each other and we knew at this point we’re playing for each other like before, but it’s just more reinforced. It’s pretty fun to get this win.”