Falcons to place franchise tag on star TE Kyle Pitts
The Atlanta Falcons will secure star tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. for one more season as the team is planning to place the franchise tag on him.
Pitts will earn a $16.3 million salary in 2026, while the designation will give the team until July 15 to work out a long-term deal. If not, he will play next season under the one-year franchise tender.
The 25-year-old is coming off his best campaign, posting 88 receptions for 928 receiving yards and a career-best five touchdown catches. He finished second among tight ends in catches and receiving yards while earning an AP Second-Team All-Pro selection.
Pitts recorded nine games with 50 or more receiving yards, topped by his best outing with 11 receptions on 12 targets for 166 receiving yards and three touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It made him the first tight end to notch at least 150 receiving yards and three touchdowns in a game since Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe in 1996.
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Pitts struggled with injuries early in his career, while the Falcons had plenty of turnover at the quarterback position. All of that resulted in him failing to put forth highly productive campaigns; however, he has now found his stride as one of the top tight ends in the league.
The Falcons will likely work hard to secure a long-term contract with Pitts as he’s a key piece of their offensive future. He and wide receiver Drake London are the primary fixtures in the passing game as part of the core group alongside star running back Bijan Robinson.
