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If tight end is the position that takes an NFL offense from good to great, the Atlanta Falcons have placed yet another big bet on a former local star.
The richest three-year contract for an NFL tight end was offered to and accepted by the Falcons’ Kyle Pitts, whom the team drafted out of Florida back in 2021.
The three-year, $54 million contract extension comes right after the Falcons extended wide receiver Drake London for four years and $141 million. The future of the Falcons seems to rely on these two players to be the cornerstone for Atlanta’s passing attack.
Though Pitts hasn’t reached his full potential, or at least Falcons fans hope, 2025 was the best season of his career. It also seems that new head coach Kevin Stefanski will be asked to make Pitts a bigger part of an offense which has a question mark at quarterback, between recent draftee Michael Penix Jr. and new signee Tua Tagovailoa.
Tight end for the Florida Gators for three seasons, 2018-20, Pitts finished his time in Florida with a bang. In 2020, he earned consensus All-American honors, the John Mackey Award and was the SEC Leader in touchdowns. His 2020 season secured his reputation as a top tight end in college football.
In the 2021 season, Pitts was drafted as the Falcons' first pick in the first round, fourth overall. He is the highest drafted tight end in NFL history, as the fourth pick in the 2021 draft. Pitts was drafted in the same class as Jacksonville’s own QB, Trevor Lawrence, and recent Super Bowl winner, DeVonta Smith.
Top 10 picks
Kyle Pitts got a major raise, after agreeing to a three-year, $54 million extension. He will finish the 2026 season on a $15 million franchise tag. This contract will make him the third-highest paid tight end in the league. The contract means $36 million of it is fully guaranteed, according to ESPN. Below are the player he joined for top paid tight ends per average annual value:
Pitts has been at Atlanta for the past four seasons and has locked down at least another three. He received Pro Bowl (2021), ranked 91st on NFL Top 100 players (2022), PFWA All-Rookie Team (2021), and second-team All-Pro (2025).
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Kyle Pitts signs new contract with Atlanta Falcons
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The richest three-year contract for an NFL tight end was offered to and accepted by the Falcons’ Kyle Pitts, whom the team drafted out of Florida back in 2021.
The three-year, $54 million contract extension comes right after the Falcons extended wide receiver Drake London for four years and $141 million. The future of the Falcons seems to rely on these two players to be the cornerstone for Atlanta’s passing attack.
Though Pitts hasn’t reached his full potential, or at least Falcons fans hope, 2025 was the best season of his career. It also seems that new head coach Kevin Stefanski will be asked to make Pitts a bigger part of an offense which has a question mark at quarterback, between recent draftee Michael Penix Jr. and new signee Tua Tagovailoa.
Kyle Pitts stats at Florida
Tight end for the Florida Gators for three seasons, 2018-20, Pitts finished his time in Florida with a bang. In 2020, he earned consensus All-American honors, the John Mackey Award and was the SEC Leader in touchdowns. His 2020 season secured his reputation as a top tight end in college football.
- 2018 (Freshman) – 11 games, 3 rec, 73 yds (24.3 avg), 1 TD
- 2019 (Sophomore) – 13 games, 54 rec, 649 yds (12.0 avg), 5 TDs
- 2020 (Junior) – 8 games, 43 rec, 770 yds (17.9 avg), 12 TDs
Kyle Pitts NFL draft class
In the 2021 season, Pitts was drafted as the Falcons' first pick in the first round, fourth overall. He is the highest drafted tight end in NFL history, as the fourth pick in the 2021 draft. Pitts was drafted in the same class as Jacksonville’s own QB, Trevor Lawrence, and recent Super Bowl winner, DeVonta Smith.
Top 10 picks
- 1. Trevor Lawrence | Jacksonville Jaguars | QB
- 2. Zach Wilson | New York Jets | QB
- 3. Trey Lance | San Fransico 49ers | QB
- 4. Kyle Pitts | Atlanta Falcons | TE
- 5. Ja’Marr Chase | Bengals | WR
- 6. Jalen Waddle | Miami Dolphins | WR
- 7. Penei Sewell | Detroit Lions | OT
- 8. Jaycee Horns | Carolina Panthers | CB
- 9. Pat Surtain II | Denver Broncos | CB
- 10. DeVonta Smith | Philadelphia Eagles | WR
Top paid TEs in NFL
Kyle Pitts got a major raise, after agreeing to a three-year, $54 million extension. He will finish the 2026 season on a $15 million franchise tag. This contract will make him the third-highest paid tight end in the league. The contract means $36 million of it is fully guaranteed, according to ESPN. Below are the player he joined for top paid tight ends per average annual value:
- George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers: $19.1 million
- Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals: $19 million
- Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons: $18 million
- Isaiah Likely, New York Giants: $13.3 million
- Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens: $13.09 million
Kyle Pitts stats at Atlanta
Pitts has been at Atlanta for the past four seasons and has locked down at least another three. He received Pro Bowl (2021), ranked 91st on NFL Top 100 players (2022), PFWA All-Rookie Team (2021), and second-team All-Pro (2025).
- 2025: 88 REC, 928 YDS, 10.5 AVG, 5 TD
- 2024: 47 REC, 602 YDS, 12.8 AVG, 4 TD
- 2022: 28 REC, 356 YDS, 12.7 AVG, 2 TD
- 2021: 68 REC, 1026 YDS, 15.1 AVG, 1 TD
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Kyle Pitts signs new contract with Atlanta Falcons
Continue reading...
