In his first year as general manager of the Atlanta Falcons, Terry Fontenot made a bold statement by selecting Kyle Pitts fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. Pitts became the highest-drafted tight end in league history, chosen ahead of standout players like Ja’Marr Chase, Penei Sewell, Micah Parsons, and Patrick Surtain—each now arguably among the best players at their respective positions.
At first, it seemed the gamble paid off. Pitts had a stellar rookie season with Matt Ryan at quarterback, setting multiple Falcons records. He amassed 1,026 receiving yards on 68 catches, becoming only the second rookie tight end in NFL history to eclipse 1,000 yards. Expectations soared as he was widely pegged as the league’s next elite tight end.
However, the next two seasons have been anything but smooth for Kyle Pitts and the Falcons.
The promise of Pitts’ rookie campaign has been overshadowed by a combination of injuries and inconsistent quarterback play. With Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder under center, the Falcons’ passing game regressed significantly. Pitts saw his production drop off, hampered by a knee injury that ended his second season and seemed to linger into his third. Over these two seasons, Pitts combined for just over 1,000 yards and five touchdowns—underwhelming numbers for a player once seen as a generational talent.
This offseason, there was renewed hope. Pitts had surgery to address his knee injury, and the Falcons made a high-profile move to bring in Kirk Cousins as their new quarterback. The organization doubled down on its faith in Pitts, picking up his fully guaranteed fifth-year option. But as the season unfolds, that decision is beginning to look questionable.
Under Cousins, Pitts has shown signs of improvement, recording 35 catches for 494 yards and tying his career high with three touchdowns. Yet, his production has remained inconsistent. Worse, questions about his effort have started to surface, adding a new layer of concern to his struggles.
Since Week 8, Pitts has managed only six catches for 75 yards across four games, including his second zero-catch performance of the season. He was targeted just twice against the Chargers, and on both plays, he appeared to give up on his route—behavior that’s simply inexcusable. His usage in the offense has also declined, suggesting either a lack of trust from the coaching staff or an inability to integrate him effectively into the game plan.
The Falcons are at a crossroads with Kyle Pitts. While his physical talent is undeniable, it’s becoming increasingly clear he isn’t living up to his draft billing. At this point, labeling him as one of the best tight ends in the league feels far-fetched. Worse, his effort—or perceived lack thereof—has raised serious questions about his commitment.
For a team in the midst of a six-year playoff drought, effort is non-negotiable. Kyle Pitts is on a path to go down as the biggest draft bust in Falcons franchise history.
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Photographer: Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire
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