Robinson isn’t the only Falcon who could get a market-leading deal this offseason. However, things with tight end Kyle Pitts are a little more complicated.
While Robinson has pretty much been as-advertised since entering the league, Pitts’ production has been more up-and-down. The fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft had a 1,000-yard season as a rookie, then too often disappeared over the next three seasons.
To be fair, inconsistent quarterback play and questionable coaching did little to help Pitts’ development.
This past season, Pitts reemerged as a difference-making offensive mismatch. While he didn’t produce his second 1,000-yard season, he caught 88 passes for 928 yards and five touchdowns. While Pitts hasn’t established himself as the league’s most prolific receiving tight end, at 6’6″ and 250 pounds, he may still possess the highest ceiling at his position in the league.
Atlanta gave Pitts the franchise tag early this offseason, and it has until July 15 to work out a long-term deal. While the Falcons may allow Pitts to play on the tag and reevaluate his future in 2027, there are reasons why extending him now would make sense.
The biggest is that tight ends are woefully underpaid in comparison to wide receivers. Trey McBride and George Kittle are the only tight ends who make $19 million or more annually, and Kittle tops the market with a $19.1 million salary.
The list of receivers who make more than $19 million annually includes second-tier wideouts like Jakobi Meyers, Calvin Ridley, and Courtland Sutton.
At some point, we’re going to see the pay gap between receivers and tight ends start to shrink, and Pitts could be the one to make it happen. He’s set to earn just over $15 million on the franchise tag this season, and he’d earn just over $18 million if tagged a second time in 2027.
Paying Pitts a bit more and locking up the 25-year-old for the foreseeable future—and doing it before Brock Bowers becomes extension-eligible in 2027—could be a logical long-term move.
Contract Projection: Four Years, $80 Million
