Falcons fielded Kyle Pitts trade inquiry from 6-time Super Bowl Champion franchise

The Atlanta Falcons have officially run out of options for veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins following Aaron Rodgers' signing with the Steelers. Now, the Falcons are in a bind, as they’re on the hook for the $27.5 million Cousins is owed this season. Atlanta took a risk signing Cousins coming off his Achilles injury—and it’s now coming back to bite them.

“That stinks for Cousins, and the Falcons may not be too thrilled about running out of trade options either. While Atlanta has said it is 'comfortable' keeping Cousins around as its backup, general manager Terry Fontenot can't be eager to hand out a $27.5 million salary to his QB2,” Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox wrote.

However, Atlanta does have another potential trade chip: Kyle Pitts. The tight end is entering the final year of his rookie contract and could be a more movable asset.

“I don't think it's a situation where [the Falcons] are aggressively shopping [Pitts],” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said Saturday on SportsCenter. “But it appears, talking to some other teams, they think Atlanta is at least open to the possibility and Pitts might be as well. I'm told he loves Atlanta, this is not a situation where he's requesting a trade, but if he has a chance to go to maybe a better offense where he's more featured.”

One team that’s reportedly made a call is the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“They’ve had their eyes on tight ends, too," NFL Network’s Ian Rapaport said. "Kyle Pitts, there was a phone call there. The Steelers are in the market for at least one more playmaker."

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With Steelers tight end Donald Parham suffering a torn Achilles, Pittsburgh has been actively looking for reinforcements. Their interest in Atlanta may have been sparked after their first option, Jonnu Smith, turned them down.

“Jonnu would definitely like to stay in Miami. That’s his first choice,” agent Drew Rosenhaus said, via Miami Heraldreporter Barry Jackson. “This is where he lives in the offseason. He had a record-breaking season last year... His dream team is the Dolphins.”

It will be interesting to see whether the Falcons pull the trigger and part ways with Pitts.