NFL world reacts to Falcons giving Kyle Pitts new $54M contract

[ASFN Admin]

The Atlanta Falcons have reportedly agreed to terms with tight end Kyle Pitts on a new three-year contract. The team franchise-tagged Pitts at the start of the offseason, but the former top-five pick will instead sign a three-year, $54 million deal, which includes $36 million in guaranteed money.

Pitts led the team in catches (88) and receiving yards (928) last season, and stepped up big when Drake London was injured. London received a four-year, $141 million extension two weeks ago, and now Pitts is locked in for three more seasons.

The 25-year-old entered the league as one of the most hyped-up tight end prospects this league has ever seen, and somehow he lived up to that hype as a rookie. Pitts topped 1,000 receiving yards back when Matt Ryan was still the Falcons quarterback.

Now that Ryan is back as the team's president of football, he made sure to take care of his former No. 1 target. Pitts will average $18 per million per year over the next three seasons, which is the third-highest average among NFL tight ends.

NFL world reacts to Kyle Pitts' extension​

Here's how those around the NFL reacted to Pitts' $54 million contract extension on social media.

ESPN sources: TE Kyle Pitts and the Atlanta Falcons reached agreement today on a three-year, $54 million contract that includes $36 million fully guaranteed. It is the largest three-year contract for a tight end in NFL history. David Mulugheta of Athletes First and Andre Odom… pic.twitter.com/PYEEMRs8xa

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 23, 2026

The #Falcons and star TE Kyle Pitts have agreed to terms on a 3-year, $54M contract.

Pitts will not play on the $15M franchise tag and instead receives $36M fully guaranteed over the next two seasons. The deal was negotiated by David Mulugheta of @AthletesFirst and Andre Odom. pic.twitter.com/s6Yf7siLX4

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 23, 2026

Highest paid TEs in per year average:

George Kittle: $19.1M
Trey McBride: $19M
Kyle Pitts: $18M
Isaiah Likely: $13.333M
Mark Andrews: $13.089M https://t.co/yrquZlXCfY

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 23, 2026

I’m not gonna lie, I thought we would move on from Kyle Pitts but they proved me wrong

— A M B E Z Y (@bezy_bby) June 23, 2026

Falcons lock up their TE1 !!!

Ended the season last year on a high note… take that momentum into this season and SHOCK THE MF WORLD !!!!

https://t.co/1sKwSqGUgO

— Buddy Boy Bets (@Buddyboybets) June 23, 2026

His talent makes this worth it but the inconsistency can make this an overpay, overtime

— Bakers Report (@BakersReporxtz) June 23, 2026

IF Pitts had played on the franchise tag for 2 straight years, it would have been $15.045 in 2026 and then $18.054 in 2026. The Falcons gave him around $3M more than the tag would have been for the 2 years. Not really a crazy deal. https://t.co/4aSBilHPuK

— (@CarasikS) June 23, 2026

Chuck & Chernoff react to the Falcons' massive commitment to Kyle Pitts after Atlanta agreed to a record-setting 3-year, $54 million extension. #DirtyBirds

"I just lost a lot of faith in Ian [Cunningham]... I'm not happy about this."@RealMattlanta@kingcfbpic.twitter.com/DD0EonK87M

— 680 The Fan (@680TheFan) June 23, 2026

Under new GM Ian Cunningham, the Falcons have now gotten WR Drake London and TE Kyle Pitts Sr. under contract this offseason. Next up is RB Bijan Robinson, who could become the highest-paid RB in NFL history.

— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) June 23, 2026

Kyle Pitts career snap % by alignment (per PFF charting):

2021
In line (I): 32%
Slot (S): 37%
Wide (W): 31%

2022
I: 39%
S: 33%
W: 27%

2023
I: 22%
S: 49%
W: 29%

2024
I: 52%
S: 33%
W: 15%

2025
I: 57%
S: 29%
W: 16%

— Joe Patrick (@JoePatrick) June 23, 2026

The #Falcons have extended TE Kyle Pitts on a three-year, $54 million deal, per @AdamSchefter. The contract guarantees $36 million. It’s the largest three-year agreement for a tight end in NFL history. No more franchise tag for Pitts.

— Marc Raimondi (@marcraimondi) June 23, 2026

3rd highest TE contract by a SIGNIFICANT margin, only other apy and guaranteed $ comparables are All-Pros McBride and Kittle.

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Aaaaand yet it’s also just Wan’Dale Robinson money, solid deal for Atlanta (I’ll say this with most TEs given that positional bubble) https://t.co/ipckszmsMx

— Carter Donnick (@CDonnick1) June 23, 2026

pic.twitter.com/DIPZd7DhiC

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) June 23, 2026

The Falcons are off until training camp begins next month. Rookies will report on July 24, while Pitts and the rest of the veteran players will report on July 28.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons TE Kyle Pitts signs 3-year contract: NFL reacts

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