Kyle Pitts Named ‘Most Likely’ Trade Candidate by PFSN
While Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins has dominated offseason headlines, tight end Kyle Pitts may not be far behind in terms of intrigue.
Pitts enters a critical fifth season, with his contract year marking a make-or-break moment after the Falcons made him the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history. Publicly, the team continues to support their 24-year-old tight end, but as often happens, what’s said in front of cameras can differ from the realities behind closed doors.
Pro Football and Sports Network (PFSN) recently highlighted veteran players who could be moved this offseason, and surprisingly, it wasn’t Cousins listed as the top trade candidate for the Falcons.
“While Kirk Cousins is the name most will associate with this conversation,” PFSN writes, “the Falcons could certainly move the $45 million per year quarterback, but the lack of urgency and leverage means a Cousins trade doesn’t seem likely in the near future. If not for the rivalry with the Saints, the two teams could have been natural trade partners in the wake of Derek Carr’s shoulder injury.”
With two years and $80 million remaining on Carr’s contract, the Saints are likely in the market for a cheaper option. The Falcons, however, would have little incentive to help out their division rivals by offloading Cousins’ hefty contract.
Instead, PFSN suggests that Kyle Pitts could be a more realistic trade asset. The former top draft pick is playing out the fifth-year option of his rookie deal after a disappointing season that saw him average just 35.4 receiving yards per game—a career low. With a major contract extension looming for fellow wide receiver Drake London, the Falcons could be tempted to move on from Pitts, especially given his reduced role under a new coaching staff.
Pitts played under 40 snaps per game for the first time in his career in 2024, and the Falcons’ decision to cut back on his playing time raises questions about his future with the team. According to PFSN, the Steelers and Rams could be potential landing spots for Pitts, as both teams have connections to his early years in Atlanta. Former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith is now the offensive coordinator for the Steelers, while Dave Ragone, Pitts’ former offensive coordinator, is the quarterbacks coach for the Rams. While the Steelers already have a solid tight end group, Pitts’ versatile skill set could provide them with a different dynamic compared to Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington.
However, just because PFSN considers Pitts the “most likely” trade candidate doesn’t mean a deal is inevitable. The Falcons have already invested a significant amount in Pitts, including a fourth-overall pick and $33 million. With Pitts set to earn $10.9 million on his fifth-year option, the team would prefer to see him thrive in 2025, potentially earning a bigger contract for 2026. If not, they could opt to franchise tag him after the season, which would guarantee him around $16.5 million for 2026.
For this to happen, the Falcons and Pitts need to find a way to improve on his disappointing 2024 campaign, where he averaged just 40 snaps per game and finished with only 18 catches for 183 yards over the final nine games—during which the Falcons posted a 3-6 record.
A strong 2025 season could be crucial for Pitts, especially after Trey McBride reset the tight end market with a four-year, $76 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals. The Falcons are hoping that a new quarterback in Michael Penix Jr. and the motivation of a contract year will help Pitts regain his form, but time is quickly running out for the former top prospect.
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