Kyle Pitts has an opportunity to parlay his career year into a lucrative contract, opening the door for him to play elsewhere in 2026. However, the impending free agent tight end is intrigued by the opportunity to continue his Falcons career playing under new leadership.
While speaking with Jordan Schultz and Draymond Green on the Why is Draymond Green Talking About Football? podcast, Pitts said it’d be “dope” to play for new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski.
“That’d be dope in general as a room and just for morale as an offensive piece, [with] the tight end being one of the focal points in it,” Pitts said (via Schultz on X).
The tight end clarified that he had a significant role under Arthur Smith and Raheem Morris, but he expected an “enhanced role” if he sticks in Atlanta for the long haul. Pitts even said he’s talked with David Njoku about Stefanski’s willingness to showcase tight ends.
Inconsistent QB play prevented Njoku from reaching the top-tier of NFL tight ends, but the long-time Brown still had at least 60 touches per year between 2022 and 2024. Stefanski also got an unexpected performance from TE Harold Fannin in 2025, with the rookie finishing with 79 touches for 744 yards and seven touchdowns.
Pitts has struggled to live up to his fourth-overall-pick billing. While he topped 1,000 receiving yards as a rookie, he was limited to only 1,625 combined receiving yards over the following three years. The impending free agent showed signs of life in 2025, finishing with a career-high 88 catches for 928 yards and five scores. That performance should set him up for a payday, as he’s expected to lead a TE free agent class that also includes Travis Kelce, Dallas Goedert, Isaiah Likely, and Njoku.
There were rumblings that the Falcons could look to retain Pitts via the franchise tag. However, with the Falcons employing new leadership, it’s uncertain if the organization still has the former first-round pick in their plans.
Would love to see that offense hope he stays
You mean it would be dope if he stayed lol.
lol pardon
Me too, be the best system for TEs he’s been a part of….I was hoping Pitts would reach Kelce, Dallas Clark, Tony Gonzalez, Jimmy Graham levels of TE after being drafted so high. But he’s settling into a tier below that if he has another good season which is still plenty valuable.
It’s all up to him his agent and falcons top brass. I could see Matt Ryan pushing to keep him but who knows. Stefanski schemed up almost 800 yards out of a rookie tight end who was also a backup and caught passes from 3 different QBs
I think Stefanski will bring over Njoku and Pitts will move on. Pitts is gonna want to cash in and Atlanta should let him do that elsewhere, while adding Njoku for a less money. Njoku already knows the system and Stefanski likes him and knows how to use him.
Franchise Tag would be a win-win for both sides. Pitts could set himself up for a huge payday if has a great season under Stefanski…Falcons rarely use the tag but may be different with a whole new front office now.
Cam Heyward says it will be rad to play under McCarthy.