When the Atlanta Falcons selected Kyle Pitts fourth overall back in 2021, it was the highest draft pick an NFL team has ever used on the tight end position.
Pitts led the team with 67 catches and 1,026 receiving yards as a rookie but his production dipped in 2022 before a knee injury prematurely ended his season. In 2023, the former Florida star bounced back with a 53-catch, 667-yard season. Atlanta’s passing offense has generally struggled since trading away quarterback Matt Ryan two years ago.
The Falcons have until May 2 to decide if they want to pick up Pitts’ fifth-year option for 2025. According to the criteria listed by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Pitts’ fifth-year option will cost the team $10.8 million. Since Pitts made the Pro Bowl in 2021, he’s eligible for a bigger payday, as you can see below.
And here are the fifth-year option numbers for 2021 first-round picks — a list including Trevor Lawrence, Ja’Marr Chase, Jaylen Waddle, Penei Sewell, Pat Surtain II, DeVonta Smith, Justin Fields and Micah Parsons, among others.
Teams have until May 2 to exercise the options. pic.twitter.com/DHbJUB5sQQ
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 23, 2024
For reference, Pitts will make $10,471,522 this season. The NFL officially set the salary cap for the 2024 season at $255.4 million. According to Over The Cap’s projections, the Falcons will have around $38.4 million to spend this offseason.