Falcons' Kyle Pitts contract future might be trending up

Five years ago, the expectation would've been that this was a massive offseason for Kyle Pitts, one in which he potentially broke the record for biggest contract ever given to a tight end.

That's not how things have progressed since for the talented Atlanta Falcons TE.

Pitts is going to be a free agent at the end of this season, and his dollar value and destination is a lot less certain than it was when he was a first-round pick out of Florida on his way to a prodigious rookie season.

The good news for Pitts, based on a couple of ESPN writers' thoughts, is that the arrow might be pointing up as he hurtles toward free agency.

"Pitts plays the position like a wide receiver, and his numbers are up in 2025," ESPN's Matt Bowen wrote. "He's already at 420 yards, and his 45 catches are only two short of the 47-catch mark he hit in 2024. Though Pitts needs to be more willing as an in-line blocker, there's still upside here in the pass game. And he has the tools to play a matchup role from a variety of pre-snap alignments."

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Added ESPN's Jeremy Fowler: "Pitts hasn't quite lived up to his pre-draft billing as an elite prospect. Injuries have been a factor. But some evaluators see him slowly coming back. 'He looks good -- running better than he has,' an AFC executive said. Pitts' 45 receptions rank third among tight ends through Week 10."

It's hard to know whether the Falcons would consider bringing Pitts back. It probably depends on the cost.

He has built up a solid chemistry with second-year QB Michael Penix Jr., which could prove a valuable connection to continue.

But Pitts may also benefit from a change of scenery for the first time in his NFL career. Lots of talented QBs have done better in new places. Maybe it could work that way for Pitts, too.

Regardless, his overwhelming talent will draw plenty of interest, especially with his play on the field trending up in 2025.

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