Atlanta Falcons star Kyle Pitts suddenly available for shock offseason trade, NFL insider claims

Daily Mail​

2 days ago

The highest drafted tight end in the history of the NFL could be available for as little as a second- or third-round pick, according ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler.
Kyle Pitts, the 24-year-old Atlanta Falcons star and fourth-overall selection of the 2021 NFL Draft, is entering his fifth and final season of his rookie contract. And without an extension in place, the former Florida Gators star is naturally going to be mentioned in trade rumors.
But while Fowler reports the Falcons are not eagerly shopping Pitts, there is a growing belief around the league that the 6-foot-6, 246-pound speedster could be available for the right price.
'I don't think it's a situation where [the Falcons] are aggressively shopping [Pitts],' Fowler said Saturday. 'But it appears, talking to some other teams, they think Atlanta is at least open to the possibility and Pitts might be as well.'
Fowler stressed that Pitts is not 'requesting a trade,' but added, 'if he has a chance to go to maybe a better offense where he's more featured—he's sort of the third or fourth wheel right now in Atlanta —it could be something that he's open to.'
In 2021, Pitts became just the second rookie tight end to record 1,000 receiving yards, but has struggled to build on that success amid frequent turnover with the Falcons offense.
Michael Penix Jr. enters the season as the Falcons' starting quarterback after replacing veteran Kirk Cousins, the veteran who signed a four-year, $180 million contract with Atlanta in 2024, only to be benched in favor of the rookie.
Cousins was absent from organized team activities in Atlanta last week.
'His a** doesn't want to be there,' one fan reacted online, echoing a sentiment felt by many others.
Cousins, who turns 37 in mid-August, has been visible at the team's offseason workouts prior to Tuesday. The Falcons reportedly are open to listening to trade offers for Cousins, who would have to waive his no-trade clause.
While Cousins is holding out hope for a starter's role with another team, the Falcons likely are waiting until after June 1 to trade the quarterback. Should that be the case, the team will be on the hook for a $12.5 million dead cap charge.
Cousins has been mentioned in trade rumors, although it's unclear if there's a QB-hungry team willing to take on his salary. The Pittsburgh Steelers are one potential destination as they wait for free agent Aaron Rodgers to make up his mind on his NFL future.
Cousins threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 14 starts last season.
The Falcons started the season 6-3, but a nosedive Cousins told NFL Network coincided with a shoulder injury prompted Morris to turn the offense over to Penix with three games left in the regular season. Penix went 1-2.