Falcons taking calls for potential Kyle Pitts trade — why they could be ‘enticed'
Teams are making calls to acquire Kyle Pitts from the Falcons.
ESPN insider Adam Schefter said during an episode of 'The Adam Schefter Podcast' that Atlanta isn't initiating any moves itself, but the organization is certainly fielding offers for the star tight end.
'There also have been teams that have approached the Falcons about trading for Kyle Pitts. I don't think the Falcons are looking to deal him, but they're not turning away the calls, either,' Schefter said. 'If there were a team that were willing to give up enough to get him, I think that they could be enticed into trading the former top-five overall selection to another team.'
3 Kyle Pitts hasn't quite lived up to his NFL expectations just yet.
AP
Pitts was selected by the Falcons with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Florida with loads of potential.
After a senior season with the Gators where he was named an All-American and finished top ten in Heisman voting, Pitts was all the rage — with a wide receiver's skillset and speed in a tight end's body, he was a no-brainer pick.
Pitts immediately proved the world correct when he made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and racked up over 1,000 yards.
But he followed up his strong rookie season with a dud of a sophomore year and posted pedestrian numbers in his next two seasons.
3 Kyle Pitts was taken fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Getty Images
Pitts has shown flashes of the uber-athletic tight end that he seemed destined to become, but Atlanta hasn't been quite able to fully unlock his potential, and a change of scenery could end up paying dividends for the 24-year-old.
He's currently in the final year of his contract and will be a free agent come the 2026 offseason.
'The issue there is he's due $11 million in salary this year,' Schefter said. 'I don't know that there are a whole lot of teams lining up to pay the Falcons what it would take and to pay Kyle Pitts what it would take when he's entering the last year of his contract.'
3 Adam Schefter reported that the Falcons aren't completely opposed to dealing Kyle Pitts.
The Adam Schefter Podcast
Pitts' situation rings similar to Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins' saga, who has also been in trade talks with Michael Penix Jr. taking the starting job under center.
Cousins also holds an undesirable contract, putting Atlanta in a bind if it were to truly push to offload him, and Pitts for that matter.
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