The Atlanta Falcons’ offseason has been eventful, with moves both on the field and in the front office. Their latest decision was to place the franchise tag on star tight end Kyle Pitts.
Was Tagging Kyle Pitts the Right Move for the Atlanta Falcons?
It began as speculation that Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts would be franchise tagged, and now it’s official. Tori McElhaney of the team’s site reported that the new Falcons general manager spoke about the tag on Tuesday at the NFL combine, saying, “That should get done today.” And it did.
It was also reported that Cunningham discussed the team’s approach to tagging Pitts while on 92.9 The Game, saying, “We’re not in the business of letting go really good players.”
The move shows the Falcons don’t want to lose Pitts, at least for this season. But a long-term deal would demonstrate more urgency to keep him in Atlanta. The Falcons drafted Pitts with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. Pitts was seen as a “unicorn” by many.
Pitts played the first four years of his rookie contract, which included a fifth-year option for first-round picks. The option allows teams to retain a player without extending him.
Pitts played this season under that option, and now that he’s tagged for 2026, it essentially becomes a one-year deal. According to Spotrac, the projected franchise tag value for tight ends in 2026 is $16 million.
According to the NFL, the non-exclusive franchise tag allows a player to negotiate with other teams while still being tied to a one-year contract. That salary is set at either the cap percentage average for his position or 120% of his previous year’s pay, whichever is greater.
Teams that apply the tag retain the right of first refusal. If the player signs an offer sheet elsewhere, his current team has five days to match. Should they decline, the original team receives compensation equal to two first-round draft picks.
Pitts is a phenomenal athlete with elite versatility. He can line up as both a receiver and tight end, and he was a key piece of the Falcons’ offense this season. His best performance came against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 15 on Thursday Night Football, when he had 11 catches for 166 yards and 3 touchdowns. Atlanta won 29-28.
Tagging Pitts saves money in the short term, but extending him later could cost more. The Falcons already have significant money tied to Kirk Cousins, who the team says will be released in March, limiting resources for a Pitts extension.
Meanwhile, the team may feel Pitts hasn’t shown enough to warrant a long-term deal, despite a strong season with 88 catches for 928 yards and 5 touchdowns.
