ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons are investing heavily in their offensive core, reaching a three-year agreement worth $54 million with tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. that will keep him in Atlanta through the 2028 season.
The contract was announced Tuesday by Pitts’ representation, Athletes First, via social media. According to the agency, the deal stands as the largest three-year contract ever handed to a tight end in NFL history.
The Pitts signing follows closely behind the Falcons’ recent agreement with wide receiver Drake London, who inked a four-year, $141 million deal just three weeks prior.
Pitts, 25 years old, was selected by Atlanta with the eighth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Last season, he turned in the best statistical performance of his career, hauling in 88 catches for 928 yards and five touchdowns. Those numbers placed him second among all NFL tight ends in both receptions and receiving yards.
The deal includes $36 million in guaranteed money and was first reported by ESPN. While the Falcons organization has not made a formal announcement, the team did celebrate the news by sharing a video of Pitts on their social media channels.
One of the highlights of Pitts’ standout season came on December 11, when he scored three touchdowns in Atlanta’s 29-28 road victory over Tampa Bay. Kirk Cousins was under center for that game. Looking ahead, the Falcons will head into training camp with Tua Tagovailoa expected to battle Michael Penix Jr. for the starting quarterback role.
Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski noted that Penix, who is recovering from knee surgery, is progressing on schedule. Penix was not yet cleared for full team drills during a recent minicamp, but he showed well in seven-on-seven sessions.
Tagovailoa, formerly the starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, was signed by Atlanta to a one-year contract in March. That move came after the team released Cousins with a post-June 1 designation.
Pitts had been playing under a franchise tag worth $15.045 million, but beginning in the 2026 season he will operate under his new long-term deal. At an average annual value of $18 million, Pitts ranks third among the NFL’s highest-paid tight ends, trailing only San Francisco’s George Kittle at $19.1 million per year and Arizona’s Trey McBride at $19 million.
