The Atlanta Falcons will have important decisions to make when it comes to 2026 free agency. Even with a projected salary cap increase — reportedly ranging from $301.2 million to $305.7 million — Atlanta may still be forced to move on from some key players.
Four names headlining that list are tight end Kyle Pitts, running back Tyler Allgeier, linebacker Kaden Ellis and defensive lineman David Onyemata.
The player most Falcons fans are watching closely, though, is Pitts. The former first-round pick is coming off a resurgent 2025 season, but his five-year career has still been marked by inconsistency.
Still, with a career-high five touchdowns and nearly his second 1,000-yard season, Pitts showed he can still be the type of matchup problem Atlanta believed it was drafting in 2021. The question now is whether that production is enough for the Falcons to either apply the franchise tag or commit to a long-term deal.
If Atlanta and Pitts can’t come to terms, Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker believes the Falcons could look to replace him with a tight end who has a clear connection to Kevin Stefanski.
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Stefanski’s arrival in Atlanta could shape the roster in more ways than one. If Pitts ends up leaving in free agency, Stefanski could have a built-in option as a replacement — former Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku.
“If Pitts — the No. 1 tight end on the market — gets priced out of Atlanta, then a Njoku reunion with new head coach Kevin Stefanski would make sense,” Locker wrote.
“The 2025 season was a down one for Njoku with a 55.9 overall PFF grade and only 1.06 yards per route run. But from 2021 onward, his 73.9 PFF receiving grade ranks 14th among qualified tight ends, and his 6.0 yards after the catch per reception is third. Njoku would help replicate Pitts’ field-stretching skillset and be a natural fit in Stefanski’s offense.”
Njoku is coming off a season that included lingering injuries, along with Cleveland leaning more on Harold Fannin Jr. at the position. Still, the 29-year-old should have plenty good football left in him.
In 2025, Njoku finished with 33 receptions for 293 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games.
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During his introductory press conference, Stefanski was asked early about Pitts and what the Falcons may choose to do at the position.
“We’ll talk at length more about that when it comes to those types of roster conversations,” Stefanski said, per Terrin Waack.
Like Pitts, Njoku is also set to hit free agency in 2026 once the new league year begins. He ranks fifth among Pro Football Focus’ tight end free agents.
Njoku would likely be a cheaper, short-term option compared to re-signing Pitts. According to Spotrac, Njoku’s market value is projected at a two-year deal worth $19.9 million. Pitts, meanwhile, is projected to command a four-year, $43.3 million deal.
If Atlanta is looking to save money and avoid a long-term commitment, Njoku could be a logical move — especially with his history in Stefanski’s offense.
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