Reporter Dan Graziano posted his entry of not-so-hot takes in his ESPN article titled ‘potential surprises for 32 teams’. The predictions around the NFC South consisted of a Bryce Young extension, Spencer Rattler keeping the job, and a rookie shining in Tampa. But when it came to the Atlanta Falcons, Graziano took a fairly stern tone. The writer laid out all the reasons why fifth-year tight end Kyle Pitts is on the hot seat.
“What I’m hearing: Part of this is what I’m seeing — or rather not seeing,” Graziano writes hauntingly. “Pitts is in the final year of his contract, playing for $10.878 million on the fifth-year option from his rookie deal. The Falcons have made no move to extend him beyond this season. The fourth pick of the 2021 draft has averaged 49 catches per season and caught a total of 10 touchdown passes in his four-year career while struggling to consistently stay healthy.”
For the Falcons, even picking up the tight ends fifth-year option could be seen as an act of loyalty. As a top five pick, his rookie deal was far from team friendly. The then 21-year-old inked a four-year, $32 million deal that provided immediate life changing money.
Pitts, so far, has not kept up his end of the bargain.
“There are definitely signs that they don’t view Pitts as a great fit for what they’re trying to do on offense,” Graziano continues. “Mooney’s training camp absence gave some of the younger receivers on the roster a chance to show what they can do, and if one or more of them has emerged as a reliable contributor by the time the trade deadline rolls around, don’t be shocked if Pitts is on the move.”
Running Out Of Time To Cash In On Pitts
The main reason why the Falcons would trade a player like this is his contract. After this season, if an agreement is not reached before Week 18, Pitts will hit the open market. The Dirty Birds will be in a position where they could have paid a total of 42 million dollars over five years and gotten nothing but mediocre tight end play in return.
So this season, if there is even an inkling that they may want to move on from Pitts during the offseason, the front office will be pursuing trade partners hard.
The First Eight Weeks Will Tell The Story
The NFL trade deadline takes place the Tuesday after Week 9. This means that Pitts will be playing for his job in Weeks 1-8.
Unfortunately for Pitts, the team is starting out with a gauntlet. They take on the NFC South champion Buccs Week 1. This stretch also includes a contest against a team that was one win away from going to the Super Bowl in the Washington Commanders, and perennial AFC power house Buffalo Bills.
Another unfortunate factor is the early bye week. The Falcons have the earliest bye possible, slated in Week 5. This takes away one week for Pitts to make an early season statement.
‘Don’t Be Surprised If…’ Falcons’ Kyle Pitts Gets Traded