{"id":725759,"date":"2026-02-03T07:55:28","date_gmt":"2026-02-03T07:55:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/725759\/"},"modified":"2026-02-03T07:55:28","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T07:55:28","slug":"falcons-find-kyle-pitts-replacement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/725759\/","title":{"rendered":"Falcons find Kyle Pitts replacement"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated Feb. 2, 2026, 1:46 p.m. ET<\/p>\n

The Atlanta Falcons kicked off the 2026 NFL offseason by hiring a new head coach and general manager. The team brought in former Cleveland Browns<\/a> head coach Kevin Stefanski to replace Raheem Morris<\/a>, while former Chicago Bears<\/a> assistant GM Ian Cunningham was named as Terry Fontenot’s replacement.<\/p>\n

Stefanski and Cunningham can now begin assembling the roster for 2026. Free agency starts in March followed by the 2026 NFL Draft in April. Since the Falcons have roughly $27.9 million<\/a> available, according to Over The Cap’s projections, we don’t expect them to be a major player in free agency.<\/p>\n

With several key free agents, including tight end Kyle Pitts<\/a>, linebacker Kaden Elliss and defensive tackle David Onyemata, the team will have to spend its money wisely. Plus, the Falcons have no first-round pick in 2026. Atlanta traded it to the Rams<\/a> last year to move up Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate James Pearce Jr.<\/p>\n

In ESPN’s new 2026 NFL mock draft<\/a>, the Falcons landed a potential replacement for Pitts in the second round, taking Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers with the 48th overall pick.<\/p>\n

“With Kyle Pitts Sr. set to hit free agency, the Falcons could be looking for a new starting tight end,” wrote ESPN’s Matt Miller<\/a>. “Stowers is a true F-tight end prospect with a game very similar to Harold Fannin Jr. from last year’s class.”<\/p>\n

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n

Stowers would be an intriguing option if Pitts departs in free agency. The Vanderbilt standout finished the 2025 season with 62 catches for 769 receiving yards and four touchdowns. The 6-foot-4, 235-point tight end is ranked as the 44th overall prospect on Pro Football Focus<\/a>‘ 2026 big board.<\/p>\n

Pitts leaving would create a big hole in Atlanta’s offense. The fifth-year tight end had the second-best season of his NFL career in 2025, finishing with 88 receptions for 928 receiving yards and five touchdowns.<\/p>\n

In a recent interview, Pitts sounded optimistic about the possibility of playing for new Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski.<\/p>\n

“That’d be dope in general as a room and just like for morale as an offensive piece — the tight end being one of the focal points in it,” said Pitts<\/a>. “Not saying it wasn’t before, but it being like a higher, more-enhanced role. So that would be the cool part and, you know, to see what he’s done in the past is great. Talking to David [Njoku] — nothing but great things to say and I think that would be pretty cool.”<\/p>\n

The 2026 NFL Draft starts on April 23 before concluding on April 25. This year’s draft will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n

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