The Atlanta Falcons have reportedly made a key decision on tight end Kyle Pitts ahead of free agency and it’s bad news for tight end-needy teams like the Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders.
The Eagles and Commanders have a need at tight end because of the pending free agent statuses of Dallas Goedert and Zach Ertz.
The Giants need a veteran complement to Theo Johnson and Daniel Bellinger is a pending free agent. The Broncos could cut ties with Evan Engram, which would mean Denver will need a new starter at the position.
Unfortunately for those four teams, Pitts is not going to be available in free agency, as NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting the team will slap the franchise tag on the veteran tight end with the intention of working out a long-term contract.
“The Falcons are planning to franchise tag standout TE Kyle Pitts, sources say, keeping their playmaker in the fold on a 1-year, fully guaranteed deal worth more than $15M,” Rapoport reported on Monday. “The hope is to work out a long-term deal rather than the tag. The two sides have until July to do it.”
The July deadline Rapoport mentions falls on the 15th.
That’s the last day the Falcons can sign Pitts to a multi-year extension before he’ll be forced to play out the entire 2026 campaign on the franchise tag.
Pitts had a nice bounce-back year in 2025 after three lackluster campaigns in a row. The former No. 4 overall pick finished with 928 yards, his most since his rookie campaign, and scored a personal best six receiving touchdowns.
It certainly makes sense for the Falcons to keep Pitts around.
The team would be very short on pass-catchers if Pitts leaves. Aside from Pitts, the Falcons have Drake London, who is a star, and Darnell Mooney, who was a major disappointment in 2025 and is a clear cut candidate.
As for the Commanders, Eagles, Giants and Broncos, they’ll have to look elsewhere for help.
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