Updated June 26, 2026, 9:34 p.m. ET

The Atlanta Falcons wisely locked up another one of their young stars this past week, reportedly agreeing to terms with Kyle Pitts on a three-year, $54 million contract extension that would make him the third-highest paid tight end in the NFL. Fans and analysts have been mostly split on the former top-five pick’s new deal.

Aside from Pitts’ contract, things have gotten painfully quiet around the league now that the teams are off until training camp kicks off in July. However, we’ve still managed to round up some news for the slow season.

In today’s Falcons Wire recap, we look at some extension candidates, examine a few possible trade targets and learn why ESPN’s Booger McFarland doesn’t love Pitts’ extension.

Could Falcons target 49ers QB Mac Jones at deadline?

Bleacher Report thinks the Falcons would make sense as a landing spot for 49ers quarterback Mac Jones at the NFL trade deadline, especially if the team struggles out of the gate.

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“If Atlanta is again around the .500 mark before the trade deadline, it should make an offer for Jones,” wrote B/R’s Moe Moton. “In terms of durability, Jones would be a far more reliable quarterback than Penix and Tagovailoa. Also, by Week 1, he’ll be the same age as Tagovailoa and just two years older than Penix, who’s in his third season. The Falcons wouldn’t give up on much upside if they pursue the 49ers’ sixth-year veteran signal-caller.”

ESPN’s Booger McFarland not high on Pitts deal

In a recent segment for NFL Live, ESPN analyst Booger McFarland said he wasn’t in love with Pitts’ new extension.

“I like the deal. I don’t love it,” said McFarland. “I don’t love it because I don’t think the player has lived up to what we thought he was gonna be. We thought he was going to be this matchup nightmare that was going to revolutionize the league. A tight end at 6-4, 6-5, 250 that can run 4.4. He was just going to be a matchup nightmare and he just hasn’t been that just yet.” — READ MORE

NFL analyst grades Kyle Pitts’ extension

For The Win writer Christian D’Andrea gave the Falcons a B-minus grade for Kyle Pitts’ $54 million extension.

“Pitts may not be the guy who perpetually draws double teams like Atlanta may have hoped,” wrote D’Andrea. “But if he can clear space for Bijan Robinson and, importantly, fill a need for a receiving corps that’s paper thin behind Drake London, he’ll bring value approaching the top-three salary he just received. But that’s a big risk for a player who hasn’t been able to string together back-to-back good years yet.”

49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk should be on Falcons’ radar

The 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk are headed for a messy breakup at some point, and even if Aiyuk prefers to sign with the Washington Commanders, he’s too good for Atlanta not to look into.

The team signed Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus in free agency, but both players finished with under 400 receiving yards last season. Meanwhile, Aiyuk’s production speaks for itself. The Falcons could certainly use a top-flight No. 2 wide receiver, it just depends on whether or not they feel Aiyuk is a good fit. The team had issues with Ray-Ray McCloud last season, but the offense struggled after releasing the veteran wideout. — READ MORE

4 Falcons contract extension candidates

Now that Pitts’ deal is done, we thought it would be a good time to look at some other extension candidates for Falcons GM Ian Cunningham. Obviously, the team will look to get Bijan Robinson’s deal done soon, but don’t sleep on others, including guard Matthew Bergeron and linebacker Divine Deablo.

“The Falcons have a strong offensive line, where continuity is key,” wrote Tim Weaver of The Falcons Wire. “That should make extending left guard Matthew Bergeron a priority. Bergeron is only 26 years old and is on the last year of his rookie deal. He’s coming off a strong 2025 season, having earned a 65.7 grade in pass blocking and a 71.3 in run blocking from PFF. His overall grade (70.8) ranked 22nd out of 81 guards. A new deal for Bergeron keeps Atlanta’s interior familiar and would save them a little over $2.22 million in cap room.” — READ MORE

Falcons add cap space with Kyle Pitts extension

Atlanta has cleared up more salary cap space with the Kyle Pitts’ extension, adding another $11 million to their previous total.

“According to figures available at Over the Cap, extending Kyle Pitts should save the team a little more than $11.06 million for this year,” wrote Weaver. “The deal isn’t official quite yet, but we can surmise how much cap space the Falcons have now by adding that figure to their current cap space number – which comes in around $27.53 million. So, adding Pitts’ deal on top should put them around $38.6 million. That ranks fifth-most in the NFL behind the 49ers, Titans, Commanders and Chargers.” — READ MORE

Giants EDGE named Falcons’ trade target

Bleacher Report‘s Kristopher Knox listed Giants edge Kayvon Thibodeaux as a potential trade target for the Falcons in 2026.

“According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, the Giants did engage in trade talks with New Orleans, though their asking price of a second-round pick was something the Saints weren’t willing to meet,” wrote Knox. “It’s hard to imagine that New York wouldn’t consider moving Thibodeaux for a fair offer, especially with Reese now on board and with the Giants set to save $14.8 million by trading Thibodeaux. Prying Thibodeaux away from New York won’t be cheap. But the 25-year-old has one double-digit sack campaign on his resume and is just entering his playing prime.” — READ MORE