The Atlanta Falcons have come out of their 2024 gamble surprisingly unscathed. While Kirk Cousins might not be the starter in Atlanta for the foreseeable future, a trade in the future could turn out to be beneficial for the team in the long run, especially if Michael Penix Jr. can turn out to be their franchise quarterback.
However, alongside Penix, the Falcons want to develop a solid roster up and down their 53-man squad. One key area of emphasis as Penix develops in the coming years is going to be his weapons. Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, however, is focusing on one name in particular for the upcoming season: Kyle Pitts.
Kyle Pitts Entering Critical 2025 Season
A unanimous All-American and the John Mackey Award winner coming out of college, Pitts was an immensely valuable prospect and went fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, the highest ever for a tight end.
Immediately, he repaid that draft positioning, embarking on a Pro Bowl season where he also made the All-Rookie team, with 1,026 yards to his name. However, his numbers have taken a nosedive since then.
Last year was the worst of his career in a fully healthy season, with just 602 yards to his name over 17 games played, but the Falcons’ OC, Robinson, hasn’t lost all hope yet. Instead, he believes big things are coming from Pitts in the 2025 season.
“I’m expecting Kyle to take a big jump. You know, Year 2 of the system. Year 2 of understanding what we’re trying to do offensively. All those things that come with it, so expecting a lot of good things from Kyle,” Robinson said via The Waterboyz Show.
Already, head coach Raheem Morris made it clear that he wants to see the best version of the former Florida superstar this offseason. And Robinson believes there is a clear path towards achieving that.
“He knows what he needs to work on with the details, some of the fundamentals and techniques, the consistency down in and down out, those are things we talk about with him and [tight ends coach Kevin] Koger talks about with him all the time is those finer details and that next level that he can take as a player,” Robinson said.
The hope from Atlanta has to be that the once-promising prospect can return to his pre-MCL injury self, where he came out to be one of the most impressive rookie seasons from a tight end in NFL history.
In the final year of his contract after the Falcons picked up his fifth-year contract last season, it is a genuine make-or-break year for the Philadelphia native. “I’m pumped for Kyle, can’t wait to get on the field with him, and that’s going to be a lot of fun to see his growth,” Robinson said.
The optimism from Robinson is clear as day. Now, it’s about seeing how the year comes together for Pitts.
