The Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers might battle over the same free agents this offseason.

That’s because all three teams have a need at tight end thanks to the pending free-agent statuses of their 2025 starters, Kyle Pitts, Zach Ertz and Cade Otton.

Speaking of Pitts, USA TODAY’s Nate Davis believes the Falcons, Commanders and Buccaneers are the best fits for the projected $43 million tight end.

Here’s more on Pitts from Davis:

The No. 4 overall pick in 2021 − the highest-drafted tight end ever − Pitts, 25, never seemed to fully reach his potential with the Atlanta Falcons, which isn’t completely an indictment of him. But he was a second-team All-Pro in 2025 and did just put together his best season since he was a rookie, catching a career-high 88 passes and five TDs. Pitts could really take off in an offense that truly leverages his estimable abilities … and maybe even has the foresight to feature him in the red zone.

Best fits: Falcons, Buccaneers, Commanders

Pitts is a tough free agent to figure out.

He was no doubt a dynamic playmaker in the second half of last season, and the same was true of him during his rookie campaign. But sandwiched in between those showings were three lackluster years that cannot be written off.

Is Pitts is more of the guy we saw in the first and last seasons of his rookie deal? Or is he more of the guy who was a major disappointment for three seasons in a row from 2022-24?

Those are questions teams will have to answer, and the answer will determine how much Pitts garners in free agency.

All that said, we could see the Bucs, Falcons and Commanders vying for Pitts.

Atlanta needs more pass-catchers for Michael Penix Jr. or whoever is under center in 2026. Losing Pitts would leave the Falcons with Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and not much else. Also bear in mind, Mooney could be cut this offseason.

In Tampa Bay, the Bucs could use a better weapon at the tight end position. Otton has been more than serviceable, no doubt, but he doesn’t have the skill set Pitts offers.

We like the Commanders as the top landing spot for Pitts.

Washington is flush with cap space and has a need for more weapons for Jayden Daniels, who is hoping for a bounce-back year. Ertz has been good for the Commanders, but Pitts has the ability to be even better.

If we had to rank these possible landing spots from most to least likely, we’d go Washington, Atlanta and then Tampa Bay.

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