Tight end has consistently been a position the Falcons prioritize being a strength of the roster. Other than 2014 and 2015, when Levine Toilolo and Jacob Tamme were starters, they have made the necessary investments to ensure the starting tight end is a difference maker. Kyle Pitts has received many labels in his career. No matter how he has been assessed, there is no denying that he can make a difference. How frequently he makes a difference is the biggest talking point when Pitts is mentioned in conversations.
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It happened fairly often for him in 2025, resulting in a tremendous year. Pitts took charge as one of the primary pass catchers, delivering more times than not in difficult circumstances. His overall growth was one of the biggest highlights in an incredibly frustrating season for the Falcons. It was also needed at a position that left plenty to be desired behind him. As great as Pitts played, the backups failed to be the steady blockers required to jolt a running game that struggled to generate movement and relied far too often on Bijan Robinson’s brilliance.
Kyle Pitts
After years of questions surrounding his overall ability, the dynamic tight end had a memorable season in reestablishing himself as one of the top pass-catching playmakers at the position. Pitts set career highs in receptions and touchdowns. He served as the focal point of the passing game at various points during the season to great effect. There were notable improvements in his ability to gain yards after catch, aggressiveness at the catch point, and blocking at the point of attack. While there were moments of frustration with his inconsistency at making contested catches and lapses in concentration that led to committing seven penalties, it was rewarding for everyone invested in the Falcons to see Pitts play up to his potential.
His spectacular performance in a thrilling win over Tampa Bay will be forever remembered. There were strong showings against Washington, Arizona, and Seattle that proved he can be effective lining up as an in-line tight end while still being a tremendous threat lining up across different spots in various formations. Pitts expanded his skill set to become a capable traditional tight end when needed, as Zac Robinson dissected ways to utilize his greatest attributes.
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What he produced in 2025 leaves the new regime with plenty to ponder as Pitts is scheduled to become a free agent. It seems unlikely they will allow him to hit the open market, but there will be discussions about using a franchise tag to keep him instead of signing him to a long-term deal. Kevin Stefanski’s offensive system has heavily featured tight ends in the passing game. The idea of allowing one of the league’s most prolific players at the position to play elsewhere seems nonsensical from a personnel and schematic standpoint, especially for a team severely lacking viable options at wide receiver.
Where the organization stands financially and how it feels about his two outstanding seasons compared to three inconsistent, injury-plagued years will ultimately determine his future. Pitts is on an exciting trajectory of becoming a complete tight end. Ranking fifth on the all-time list of receiving yards among tight ends at 25 years old is a testament to his exceptional playmaking capabilities. He may still be considered polarizing by some, but his status as a 2025 second-team All-Pro can’t be discounted.
Charlie Woerner
Woerner has played a pivotal role in the Falcons’ offense over the last two seasons. Robinson’s vision for running outside zone heavily featured Woerner as a lead blocker and in motion to either get to the second level on a linebacker or combine with an offensive lineman to create movement on an edge defender. He was effective in his first season in Atlanta by driving defenders back or delivering punishing wham blocks to create running lanes. Much like many of the positive aspects of the Falcons’ offense in 2024, it didn’t carry over into this past season.
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Opposing defenses telegraphed Woerner’s motions and flooded to where he was moving towards to collapse designed runs. The coaching staff’s inability to adjust put the personnel at a major disadvantage. Woerner still struggled mightily to win individual matchups and create the necessary movement to give the running backs space to operate. Per Pro Football Focus, Woerner played 565 snaps this past season. He was sometimes more of a liability than an asset as a blocker, which created more pressure on a run-first offense that didn’t have many capable wide receivers on the roster.
Woener’s cap number is nearly at $5.8 million this year. It’s difficult to see him on the roster with that total. His play hasn’t justified it based on how often he was either overpowered or a step behind on blocks expected to be made. Stefanski has proven he can maximize tight ends’ skill sets, with Harrison Bryant and Jordan Adkins making valuable contributions as role players. There’s no reason why he can’t sign or draft a player to be a strong backup tight end.
Teagan Quitoriano
The 2022 fifth-round pick primarily played when the offense used 13 personnel in games against the Vikings, Saints, Cardinals, and Rams. Limiting the damage Minnesota and Los Angeles can cause with their pressure up front provided Quitoriano with more blocking opportunities. The Falcons played within positive game scripts in most of those four games, allowing them to run the ball often with three tight end sets.
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Quitoriano never particularly stood out as a blocker. There were plays in short-yardage situations, where he didn’t get the push needed to help Tyler Allgeier convert on third and fourth down. It’s unlikely he will be re-signed to be the third tight end.
2026 Outlook
The position will be revamped to some extent this offseason. Whether it will be completely overhauled will be based on how the new regime values Pitts. They can acquire two tight ends, possibly signing one of Stefanski’s favorites in David Njoku. If they decide Pitts isn’t worth investing in, the position will have to be reconstructed with at least one capable player, given the lack of draft capital.
As long as Pitts remains on the roster, they will have the flexibility to make some low-risk moves to solidify a positional group that Stefanski heavily values and should be one of the biggest strengths on the roster.