The Atlanta Falcons find themselves in a familiar predicament as the 2025 season approaches. After missing the playoffs for seven consecutive years, the team sits just $4.96 million under the salary cap, severely limiting their ability to make roster improvements.
While Kirk Cousins remains the most discussed trade candidate as he prepares to back up Michael Penix Jr., another high-profile player could be on the move. According to ESPN analyst Aaron Schatz, tight end Kyle Pitts represents both an expendable asset and a potential solution to the team’s financial constraints.
Atlanta Falcons Could Kill Two Birds With One Stone by Trading Expendable Tight End
For a team that ranked in the top 10 of PFSN’s Offense+ metric, even with subpar quarterback play, the Falcons have clearly assembled impressive offensive talent. The emergence of players like Drake London and Bijan Robinson showcases the team’s potential at skill positions.
However, Pitts has become somewhat of an enigma since Atlanta selected him fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. After a spectacular rookie campaign that saw him post 1,026 receiving yards, the Florida product has failed to eclipse 700 yards in any of his subsequent three seasons.
This disappointing trajectory caught the attention of Schatz, who included the Falcons trading Pitts in his list of final offseason moves for every team.
With this catch, Kyle Pitts has broken Julio Jones’ franchise record for MOST receiving yards by a rookie.
📺: FOX | @kylepitts__ pic.twitter.com/nFCKVXxAIL
— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 2, 2022
“Pitts has never matched the heights of his 1,026-yard rookie season, nor has he matched expectations as the No. 4 overall pick,” Schatz explained in his analysis. He views this situation as presenting Atlanta with a clear opportunity.
“It’s very unlikely that the Falcons extend or re-sign him after the 2025 season, so perhaps the best thing is to get some value for him now and let him see what he can do with a change of scenery,” Schatz added.
Potential Landing Spots and Trade Implications
Several teams could make sense as trade partners for the four-year veteran. Schatz identified the New York Jets as a logical destination, particularly as they navigate their post-Aaron Rodgers rebuild. The New York Giants also emerged as a possibility, with head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen potentially seeking offensive weapons to save their jobs.
Perhaps most intriguing is Schatz’s suggestion of the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles as a potential suitor. While the Eagles recently reworked Dallas Goedert’s contract to keep him for 2025, the 30-year-old tight end’s long-term future remains uncertain. Should Philadelphia eventually look to get younger at the position, taking a chance on a former first-round talent like Pitts could prove appealing.
The financial implications make this potential move even more attractive for Atlanta. Trading Pitts would free up nearly $10.9 million in cap space, providing the Falcons with much-needed flexibility to address other roster needs. For a team operating with minimal financial wiggle room, such savings could prove crucial in building a competitive roster around Penix and the team’s other young offensive weapons.
As the Falcons continue to navigate their salary cap challenges while attempting to end their playoff drought, moving on from Pitts might represent the type of difficult but necessary decision that helps reshape the franchise’s immediate future. Whether Atlanta ultimately pulls the trigger on such a deal remains to be seen, but the logic behind exploring this option appears increasingly sound as the 2025 season approaches.