Atlanta's new regime isn't interested in letting a former first-round pick walk to free agency.
The Falcons are planning to franchise tag tight end Kyle Pitts, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday, per sources. Atlanta general manager Ian Cunningham confirmed Tuesday that Atlanta plans to tag Pitts this week.
"We're not in the business of letting go [of] really good players," Cunningham told 92.9 The Game, per the team's website.
Pitts became a Falcon in 2021 when Atlanta spent the fourth-overall pick on the Florida product, immediately placing great expectations on his shoulders as a dynamic athlete with the potential to become a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. He's never quite reached that high bar but also has played under two different head coaches and two offensive coordinators in five seasons while running routes for an assortment of quarterbacks: Matt Ryan, Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke, Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr.
With this in mind, there was a general belief Atlanta might let Pitts test free agency in lieu of hammering out an extension with the 2021 Pro Bowler. Instead, new coach Kevin Stefanski -- an individual with a history of featuring tight ends and relying on two-tight end sets -- and new general manager Ian Cunningham have decided they'd rather prevent Pitts from leaving entirely by committing to paying him a projected $16.3 million for 2026 while preserving the chance to work out a multi-year deal.
Rapoport added that a long-term deal replacing the tag is indeed the Falcons' preferred outcome, and the sides will have until July 15 to agree to one.
Pitts began his career with the Falcons by posting a 1,000-yard season, his first and final spent with Ryan. He's since logged consecutive 600-yard seasons in 2023 and 2024 before showing legitimate promise in 2025, a campaign in which he logged a career-high 88 receptions for 928 yards and a career-best five receiving touchdowns.
With Stefanski now in charge and a handful of dynamically talented playmakers on the roster, the coach knows Penix will need a reliable tight end. Atlanta will proceed into 2026 with the hopes Pitts can build on his productive 2025 showing and blossom under the new coach.