You’ve seen the box scores. You’ve probably felt the frustration if you’ve rostered him in fantasy or just happen to be a Falcons fan who expected a "unicorn" and got something that looked a lot more like a decoy for three years. Honestly, the conversation around Kyle Pitts is usually one of two extremes: he’s either a generational bust or a victim of the worst quarterbacking in the modern era.
The truth is somewhere in the middle. And after what we just saw in 2025, the narrative is finally shifting back to where it started in 2021.
The "Bust" Label is Basically Dead
For a while there, it looked grim. After that historic 1,026-yard rookie season—the kind of debut that usually predicts a Hall of Fame trajectory—Pitts essentially fell off a cliff. People forget he was playing through a brutal knee injury in 2022 that required surgery for both his MCL and PCL. You don't just "bounce back" from that in six months. In 2023, he looked like he was running in sand.
But look at the 2025 data. It's actually kind of wild.
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He finished the 2025 season with 88 catches for 928 yards and 5 touchdowns. He didn't just "participate"; he led the Atlanta Falcons in receiving yards. He accounted for 25.1% of the team's total air yardage. That isn't a decoy. That's a focal point. When Drake London went down for a month late in the year, Pitts exploded for nearly 400 yards in a four-game stretch. He proved he could handle the "Alpha" role when the offense stopped treating him like a glorified blocker.
Why 2026 is the Real Turning Point
We are standing at a weird crossroads. As of January 2026, Kyle Pitts is officially a free agent. The Falcons picked up his fifth-year option for 2025, and he rewarded them with a second-team All-Pro nod. Now, the bill is due.
There’s a massive debate happening in front offices right now. Do you pay a tight end like a WR1? Because that’s what Pitts is going to demand. He’s 25 years old. He’s 6'6". He just put up nearly 1,000 yards in an offense that was still, frankly, figuring itself out with the transition from Kirk Cousins to Michael Penix Jr.
If Atlanta doesn't use the franchise tag, some team with a massive salary cap hole is going to throw $20 million a year at him. Imagine him in a system like Cincinnati or even back with a veteran like Mahomes. It’s terrifying for the rest of the league.
The QB Effect: From Ryan to Penix
Let’s be real. Between 2022 and 2024, Pitts was dealing with some of the most "uncatchable" targets in the NFL.
- Matt Ryan (2021): 1,026 yards. (The last time he had a "pro" QB).
- The Marcus Mariota/Desmond Ridder Era: Pure chaos. Pitts ranked dead last in catchable target rate.
- The 2025 Shift: Whether it was the veteran stability of Cousins or the raw arm talent of Penix, the ball finally started hitting him in stride.
When the ball actually reaches his zip code, he’s still the same guy who dominated at Florida. His 10.6 yards per catch in 2025 might look lower than his rookie year (15.1), but that’s because Zac Robinson’s scheme used him more in the intermediate "move" role—think Travis Kelce lite—rather than just sending him on clear-out fly routes.
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What Most People Miss About the "Unicorn"
The biggest misconception is that Pitts is a "tight end." He isn't. He lined up in the slot or out wide over 80% of the time last year. If you're judging him on his pass-blocking, you're missing the point. He’s a jumbo receiver who happens to create a nightmare mismatch for safeties.
In Week 15 against the Buccaneers, he put up 166 yards and three scores. That wasn't luck. That was a coaching staff finally realizing that no linebacker in the NFC South can run a 4.4 forty with him.
Actionable Insights for 2026
If you're following the Kyle Pitts saga for 2026, keep your eyes on these three specific things:
- The Franchise Tag: The window opens in February. If Atlanta doesn't tag him by the deadline, he is gone. They can't afford a bidding war against teams like the Chargers or Commanders who are desperate for a vertical threat.
- The Surgery Recovery: Unlike the 2023 offseason, Pitts is entering 2026 fully healthy. He played all 17 games in 2025. This is the first time in three years he won't be "rehab-first" in his training.
- Market Value: Mark Andrews just reset the market at $13 million AAV, but Trey McBride’s $19 million deal is the real floor for Pitts. Expect the numbers to be eye-watering.
The "disappointment" era is over. Whether it's in Atlanta or a new city, the 2025 season proved that the talent never left; it just needed a quarterback who could actually find a 6'6" target in the red zone.
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Monitor the franchise tag news through early March. If he hits the open market, he becomes the most coveted non-quarterback free agent in the league. Secure your seat for the bidding war; it’s going to be a wild ride.