Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) reacts with Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (8) after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter again the 49ers in Atlanta.Miguel Martinez / miguel.martinezjimenez@ajc.com
The Atlanta Falcons have exercised the fifth-year option on Kyle Pitts’ rookie contract, extending the tight end’s tenure with the team for an additional season. This decision was widely anticipated given the franchise’s high investment in Pitts as a top-five draft pick, especially with Kirk Cousins now leading the offense.
Pitts had a standout rookie season, thriving as the primary target in a struggling offense led by Matt Ryan. However, his performance dipped in the following season with Marcus Mariota at quarterback, partly due to missed opportunities to connect with Pitts on the field. Despite his efforts to get open, Mariota’s inconsistency hindered Pitts’ productivity, exacerbated by a knee injury sustained from a hit by a Chicago Bears defender.
The true extent of Pitts’ injury wasn’t fully understood by fans until the offseason, leading to questions about his effort and ability during the season. Factors like playing with various quarterbacks, including Taylor Heinicke, Desmond Ridder, and Mariota, as well as coping with the injury, explain his diminished output.
While these circumstances offer context, some fans remain frustrated with the team’s decision to draft Pitts instead of selecting other notable players like a star receiver from the Bengals or addressing their need for an elite pass rusher like Micah Parsons.
Now, Pitts faces immense pressure in the upcoming 2024 season to prove that his performance was impacted by external factors such as injuries and quarterback support. With a more stable quarterback situation under Matt Ryan and improved offensive weapons, all eyes are on Pitts to deliver.
