{"id":721994,"date":"2026-02-01T18:46:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-01T18:46:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/721994\/"},"modified":"2026-02-01T18:46:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-01T18:46:15","slug":"falcons-43-million-free-agent-predicted-to-leave-atlanta-for-buccaneers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/721994\/","title":{"rendered":"Falcons $43 million free agent predicted to leave Atlanta for Buccaneers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Falcons $43 million free agent predicted to leave Atlanta for Buccaneers<\/a> originally appeared on The Sporting News<\/a>. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When it comes to their pending free agents, tight end Kyle Pitts is among the top priorities for the Atlanta Falcons<\/a> this offseason.<\/p>\n

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Pitts bounced back in a big way in 2025 following three lackluster seasons in a row. The former No. 4 draft pick came on strong near the end of the campaign and he finished with 88 catches for 928 yards and five touchdowns.<\/p>\n

The catches and touchdowns were tops for his career, while the receiving yardage output was Pitts’ second-most, falling short of what he produced in his rookie campaign.<\/p>\n

With there being a new regime in town, there is no guarantee Pitts will be retained, although the Falcons would be wise to consider keeping him around given Atlanta’s lack of weapons in the passing game behind Drake London.<\/p>\n

However, Frank Ammirante of Fantasy Pros<\/a> predicts Pitts, who is projected to land<\/a> a four-year, $43 million contract by Spotrac, will leave Atlanta to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It would certainly be a bold move for the Buccaneers to move on from Mike Evans to bring in Kyle Pitts, but a tight end who can win downfield could help out this offense. There\u2019s a connection here, as well.<\/p>\n

New Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson held the same position with the Falcons for the past two seasons. Perhaps he\u2019ll want to bring Pitts with him. Tight end\u00a0Cade Otton\u00a0is also a free agent, so there\u2019s a need.<\/p>\n

As Ammirante points out, the Bucs do have a need at tight end, as Cade Otton is set to be a free agent. Otton is a solid tight end given his pass-catching and blocking skills, but Pitts would easily be an upgrade in the former department.<\/p>\n

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We would agree with Ammirante that the Bucs are unlikely to target Pitts if they bring Mike Evans back, which doesn’t appear to be a given.<\/p>\n

The Bucs only have $24 million in cap space<\/a> and would be better served using their resources elsewhere instead of signing both Pitts and Evans.<\/p>\n

After all, the Bucs’ pass-catcher situation isn’t that dire with Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan all under contract.<\/p>\n

Evans would likely come cheaper than Pitts, or at the very least wouldn’t require a long-term commitment. But the Bucs have a bigger need at tight than receiver, so signing Pitts remains a possibility for Tampa Bay.<\/p>\n

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