Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts will sign his franchise tag, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The Falcons and Pitts are expected to continue negotiations for a long-term deal, but he now secures a $15.045 million, fully guaranteed, one-year contract. The deadline to reach an extension for franchise tagged players is July 15.

Pitts attended the first day of the Falcons’ offseason program Tuesday. The 25-year-old is coming off a breakout season last year, finishing with 88 catches for 928 yards and a career-high five touchdowns. His receptions and yardage were his highest since his rookie year and among tight ends, he trailed only Arizona’s Trey McBride in those statistics.

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Pitts also displayed durability, playing all 17 games for the second straight season and in three of the past four years. After the season, he was named second-team All-Pro for the first time in his career.

Extending wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson, whose rookie contracts are set to expire over the coming seasons, are also big issues for the club. The Falcons also need to decide who will be the starting quarterback next season. They signed Tua Tagovailoa this offseason after the Miami Dolphins released him. Last year, Tagovailoa threw for 2,660 yards, 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. The 27-year-old quarterback was benched in Week 16 in favor of seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers. Tagovailoa lost his only playoff game in his six-year career and has completed a full season only once.

Michael Penix Jr. has played 14 games for the Falcons since being drafted eighth overall in 2024. He began his rookie season as the backup quarterback before replacing Kirk Cousins for the last five games. The next season, Penix started the year but suffered a season-ending, partially torn left ACL in Week 11. He finished with 1,982 passing yards, 9 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.

Penix has had five season-ending injuries since 2018, including three ACL tears. Tagovailoa also has injury concerns, especially with concussions.

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Despite the team spending a top-10 pick on Penix a few years ago, the decision-makers who drafted him are no longer with the organization. When Penix is healthy, he is expected to compete with Tagovailoa for the starting job rather than serving solely as insurance. With Pitts in the offense, evaluating the quarterback competition will be easier.