The Falcons Tight End missed the first day of voluntary practice, however it was not contract related
Kyle Pitts is going into the last season of his rookie contract with the Falcons, as the team picked up his 5th year option for a handsome $10.8 million. When he was absent from OTA’s the online rumor mill was in full swing with speculation of this being a statement by Pitts in hopes for a new contract or trade. The rumors turned out to be unfounded, Pitts was instead reported to be at the team facility rehabbing a foot injury.
Kyle Pitts has not lived up to expectations placed on him as the highest drafted Tight End in NFL history when the Falcons selected him with the 4th overall pick. Pitts had an absolutely stellar rookie campaign, catching 68 receptions for 1026 yards and finishing as a top 12 TE in fantasy points per game. Each of his subsequent seasons have not been as fruitful for one reason or another, injuries sidelined him for much of 2022 and he has played with a new quarterback each season, for example. Things could look different this year with the new offense in full swing and sophomore quarterback Michael Penix Jr likely under center from start to finish – who by the way stated that he’s been throwing the ball to Pitts all offseason and he “looks really good”. Also keep in mind that Pitts only turned 24 this year and plays a position with a notoriously difficult learning curve – overall this Tight Ends value has probably fallen far enough to buy back in.
Author: Lukasz Stec (@Lukasz_FF01)
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that tight end...
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (foot) has been ...
Multiple teams have reached out to the Atlanta Falcons about...
Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson believes Pitts will have a big year in his second season of the new system
This is a continuation of the Falcons organizational Hype we’ve heard about Kyle Pitts this offseason, Coach Raheem Morris made a comment about seeing the best version of Pitts this year and GM Terry Fontenot commented on his talent and playmaking ability. Pitts has failed to live up to his rookie season production and his 4th overall draft pick hype, however he is still only 24 and Tight Ends have a notoriously long learning curve in the NFL.
We’ve all heard coach-speak before, in this case the money is also backing it up. The Falcons picked up Pitt’s 5th year option, which came with a $10.8 million price tag this year — the 3rd highest base salary of any TE in 2025. The team also did not draft a single skill position player or bolster the pass catchers in a meaningful way so far this offseason. With QB Michael Penix entering his second year in the league, and with Zach Robinson having a second year to sculpt the offense, Kyle Pitts has a shot to be one of the top targets on an ascending offense. This, combined with his freakish athleticism, could make for a game breaking player in fantasy this year.
Author: Lukasz Stec (@Lukasz_FF01)
Amid struggles of quarterback Kirk Cousins, the Atlanta Falcons are making a change to Michael Penix Jr. as their starting quarterback.
The Atlanta Falcons are making a big change at quarterback. With Kirk Cousins struggling to move the ball and complete passes to his own teammates, the Falcons announced they will be starting rookie Michael Penix Jr. in week 16 versus the New York Giants.
Michael Penix Jr. was drafted 8th overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. At the time, the move was met with curiosity and plenty of raised eyebrows. After securing Kirk Cousins with a 4-year, $180 million contract the Falcons front office was met with plenty of incredulity.
Michael Penix will provide an instant boost to the passing game. His cannon of a left arm will give life to Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and hopefully resuscitate tight end Kyle Pitts. Kirk Cousins showed in recent weeks that he was unable to drive through is lower body to add zip to his passes. This will not be a problem for Michael Penix.
The Falcons offense will get a massive boost. Penix’s ability to sling the football will make life easier for Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier out of the backfield. Fire up all Falcons in week 16 versus the Giants.
Jeremiah Retzlaff, @coachretzlaff1
After a promising start to the 2024 season, Kyle Pitts has fallen into must bench territory.
As the NFL season is waning it is good practice to reflect on the good and bad. In some ways, the holiday spirit can venture towards the sentiments that reflect the beloved Seinfeld holiday known as Festivus.
Kyle Pitts is one such candidate. It has been a lost season for Kyle Pitts. In 2024, Pitts has had 5 top-12 tight end performances. In the last 3 weeks, Pitts hasn’t finished higher than the TE-33. Pitts is going through a 5 game touchdown drought and has had 14 receiving yards or fewer in 4 of the last 5 weeks.
Back in April, his 5th-year option was exercised by the Falcons to the tune of $10.8 million. Pitts is the TE-15, which is a massive disappointment considering the 2021 investment of the 4th overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft.
Dynasty gamers who are looking to get out of their Kyle Pitts shares are left holding a depressed asset versus acquisition cost. The ideal outcome for Pitts managers to help them cope is to remain hopeful that Michael Penix Jr. will have rapport with him once the starting quarterback job belongs to Penix. In the meantime, Kyle Pitts is best left on dynasty benches and redraft waiver wires.
Jeremiah Retzlaff, @coachretzlaff1
The Atlanta Falcons have a quarterback conundrum on their hands.
In what is becoming a weekly routine, the Atlanta Falcons fall short in week 14 against the Vikings after a rough outing from Kirk Cousins. The Falcons lost decisively to the tune of 42-21. The calls for Michael Penix Jr. to start at quarterback are getting louder.
Kirk Cousins has thrown 8 interceptions in the last 4 games. While Cousins threw for 344 yards, he ended the day with zero touchdown passes and 2 interceptions. The Falcons have dropped their last 4 games and are now in 2nd place in the NFC East. The Falcons 6-7 record is a cause for concern, however Falcons skill position players remain viable in fantasy football.
Bijan Robinson has been ‘Cousins-proof’ with his fantasy output. The last 2 weeks, Bijan has totaled 25.5 and 20.1 fantasy points. Receiver Darnell Mooney had a superb day with 6 receptions and 142 receiving yards. Drake London had a respectable 70 yards receiving on 5 receptions.
The Falcons get the Raiders on the road in week 15. Aside from Kirk Cousins and Kyle Pitts, Falcons skill position players need to be in lineups. While Tyler Allgeier had a respectable 63 yards rushing and a touchdown, he is only a desperation flex unless he were to get the full workload via a Bijan Robinson injury.
Jeremiah Retzlaff, @coachretzlaff1
It was a forgettable day for the Falcons against Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos in week 11.
The Atlanta Falcons suffered a brutal loss to the Denver Broncos 38-6. Fantasy goodness was the furthest thing from the menu for Falcons players. Bo Nix carried the day for the Broncos with an 85% completion percentage against the banged up Falcons defense.
The Falcons were shut out of reaching the end zone on Sunday. Kirk Cousins managed 173 passing yards, 0 touchdown passes, and threw an interception. Drake London had a respectable 3 catches for 61 yards. London’s wide receiver counterpart Darnell Mooney left the game early with a hamstring injury.
Bijan Robinson had his 5 game streak of 100 total yards or more snapped. Bijan, who is agnostic to game script saw his opportunities slip away as the game wore on. Kyle Pitts managed 1 reception for 9 yards much to the chagrin of his fantasy managers.
The Falcons mercifully have a week 12 bye. Their fantasy football playoff schedule will certainly make this week 11 debacle a distant memory. From weeks 15-17 the Falcons will play on the road against the Raiders, home versus the Giants, and square off in Washington against the Commanders. Up against any trade deadlines, this is the last call for scooping up Falcons players in fantasy football before they soar to new heights!
Jeremiah Retzlaff, @coachretzlaff1
