Kyle Pitts Trade Reportedly Eyed By ‘Multiple Teams,’ Falcons ‘Prefer’ to Keep TE

While most of the discussion around the Atlanta Falcons right now revolves around whether they will move on from Kirk Cousins, another high-profile player on the roster is reportedly generating trade interest.

Per Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz, “multiple teams” have reached out to inquire about Kyle Pitts, but the Falcons “prefer” to keep the 24-year-old tight end.

When the Falcons reported to OTAs this week, most of the focus was on Cousins not being there. The four-time Pro Bowler is seeking the opportunity to be a starter in 2025.

The Falcons are all-in right now on Michael Penix Jr. as their No. 1 quarterback after selecting him with the eighth overall pick in the 2024 draft.

June 1 could be a key date for a resolution to Cousins’ situation, as the Falcons can save $27.5 million against the 2025 cap if he gets traded after Sunday. A post-June 1 release would cost them $10 million against the cap.

Pitts also wasn’t present for the start of OTAs, though there are conflicting reports about why he is absent. NFL Network’s James Palmer said he was at the Falcons’ facilities, but didn’t take part in on-field work due to a foot injury rather than an issue with his contract.

NFL insider John Middlekauff noted on Wednesday the veteran tight end is “not that comfortable” playing out the final year of his rookie deal this season.

Comments from Falcons head coach Raheem Morris earlier in the offseason would suggest they aren’t necessarily in a rush to extend Pitts.

“He’s always going to have the added pressure because of how high he was drafted, right?” Morris told reporters at the NFL scouting combine. “So, we want to be able to get the young man out there and be the best version of him. We’ll always make the right decision for the Falcons, and we’ll always make the right decision for us in order to get him going. We’ll have to figure those things out.”

Pitts has been inconsistent through the first four years of his career. The Florida alum started out on a high with 1,026 yards and 15.1 yards per reception as a rookie in 2021, but he has just 1,625 yards in 44 games since the start of 2022.

The Falcons made Pitts the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history when they selected him No. 4 overall in 2021. He is owed $10.9 million this season after having his fifth-year option picked up in April 2024.

Given Pitts’ draft pedigree and still-young age, it’s not a surprise teams would call to see if the Falcons would be interested in trading him. It’s also not a surprise they want to hold onto him, as they can use all of their pass-catching weapons to make life easier on Penix going into his first full season as a starter.