Falcons QB Kirk Cousins explains why he didn’t switch jersey numbers with TE Kyle Pitts
When the Atlanta Falcons introduced quarterback Kirk Cousins, he was asked about potentially switching jersey numbers with tight end Kyle Pitts. Cousins, who’s worn the No. 8 for his entire career, said Pitts was willing to part with it in exchange for “targets.”
While the story initially excited fans about the upcoming season, Cousins chose the No. 18 instead. This left fans wondering why the number swap with Pitts never happened. Thanks to NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, we finally have an answer.
During an episode of Shaq’s “The Big Podcast,” Cousins explained that while Pitts agreed to give the jersey number up, the NFL stepped in with an additional requirement.
“Then the league spoke into it,” explained Cousins. “They were like ‘Well, Kyle Pitts has a lot of jerseys that are No. 8 with Pitts on the back. You would have to buy every single one.'”
#Falcons QB Kirk Cousins said Kyle Pitts was willing to give up his #8, but the NFL told him he’d need to purchase all the current jerseys in stock, which would cost hundreds of thousand of dollars—something no one was willing to do.
Cousins estimated the price of buying the remaining jerseys to be hundreds of thousands of dollars. Even after signing a four-year, $180 million contract in Atlanta, the price ultimately wasn’t worth it to the Falcons QB.
Hopefully, Cousins isn’t superstitious. Watch his full interview on “The Big Podcast,” as shared on YouTube below:
Falcons TE Kyle Pitts teased a new uniform number after the team signed QB Kirk Cousins on Monday
Last week, Falcons fans couldn’t stop dunking on Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio for suggesting that Kirk Cousins and Kyle Pitts were discussing who would wear the No. 8 if Cousins signed in Atlanta. Even Pitts questioned the report, but it may have been right all along.
On Monday, the Falcons and Cousins agreed to terms on a four-year, $180 million contract with $100 million in guarantees. Not long after the deal was announced, Pitts tweeted out a picture of himself wearing his college No. 84 uniform.
Cousins has worn the No. 8 for much of his career, and it sounds like he’d prefer to wear it in Atlanta. Pitts later asked if anyone could mock up some uniforms of him wearing both numbers with “Pitts Sr.” on the back. Fans on Twitter happily obliged:
The Falcons added another tight end to the mix on Monday, signing Charlie Woerner to a three-year deal worth $12 million. Woerner is set to replace Jonnu Smith, who was released by the team in February.
How much would it cost the Falcons to pick up Kyle Pitts’ fifth-year option?
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.
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.
The Falcons are hiring Zac Robinson as their offensive coordinator, taking one of the best-qualified candidates for the Saints off the board:
This is a tough break: the Atlanta Falcons are hiring Zac Robinson as their offensive coordinator, taking the best-qualified candidate for the New Orleans Saints off the board. The Saints had sought a second interview with Robinson, per the MMQB’s Albert Breer, but he’s no longer available.
Robinson had one of the strongest resumes among coaches the Saints had interviewed for their vacancy — his success as the Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach speaks for itself, and he’s landing in a good spot to install the Sean McVay-style offense. Atlanta has spent years investing premium draft picks at the skills positions (selecting playmakers like running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts) and Robinson should get the most out of them.
At least, if Atlanta can find a quarterback. That’s the challenge facing Robinson, new head coach Raheem Morris, and general manager Terry Fontenot (a former Mickey Loomis lieutenant) this offseason. If they can’t get that right they’ll be out of work just like Arthur Smith and the Falcons coaches who came before him.
Losing out on Robinson hurts, but it’s easy to see why he’s choosing Atlanta. He and Morris have coached against one another every day at practice the last three years and they’ve won a lot of games together. Going with a known quantity over a new situation with the Saints is, in his mind, likely the safer call. So we’ll see how that works out for him. We’ll wish Robinson nothing but the worst with the Dirty Birds.
Falcons Twitter reacts to learning Kyle Pitts’ knee injury was more severe than initially reported
The NFL is a brutal business, especially when it comes to dealing with injuries. If a player gets hurt and misses time, fans will call them injury-prone. If they play through the pain and fail to produce, people will accuse them of losing a step or not trying hard enough.
We saw this with former Falcons wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who felt pressure to play early in the 2021 season after rushing back from a broken ankle. In 2023, tight end Kyle Pitts rushed back from a severe knee injury and wasn’t quite as effective.
Pitts’ health was a consistent debate all season, but few outside of the organization knew the extent of his injury. On Wednesday, Pitts posted about playing all 17 games after undergoing PCL/MCL surgery. The PCL injury was not previously reported.
Report: Falcons are “interested” in hiring New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick
The Atlanta Falcons have a head-coaching vacancy after firing Arthur Smith late on Sunday evening. With a plethora of weapons on offense and a defense led by Jessie Bates and David Onyemata, the Falcons have one of the more appealing jobs available this offseason.
There are several quality candidates but it sounds like team owner Arthur Blank has his sights set on Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. According to a report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Falcons are “interested” if Belichick becomes available.
Bill Belichick is still the head coach in New England but the Atlanta Falcons are a team to watch if Belichick is available. They are interested, per sources.
Russini previously mentioned Belichick before Smith’s firing, but it seems like a real possibility now that the Patriots also appear to be going in a different direction.
Belichick has compiled an overall record of 302-165 over 29 seasons in the NFL, winning six Super Bowls. New England has not had as much success since quarterback Tom Brady departed in 2020. The Patriots have gone 29-38 over the last four seasons.
New England drafted quarterback Mac Jones in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft but he hasn’t developed into a franchise QB.
The Atlanta Falcons fired head coach Arthur Smith on Sunday night, and it’s not as if Smith gave owner Arthur Blank any other choice.
America’s purest successor to Jeff Fisher has been asked to find employment elsewhere. The Atlanta Falcons have fired head coach Arthur Smith after three straight seven-win seasons, and little progress along the way.
“Decisions like this are never easy and they never feel good,” team owner Arthur Blank said in a statement. “We have profound respect for Coach Smith and appreciate all the hard work and dedication he has put into the Falcons over the last three years. He has been part of building a good culture in our football team, but the results on the field have not met our expectations. After significant thought and reflection, we have determined the best way forward for our team is new leadership in the head coaching position.”
Per the team:
The search for a new head coach of the Falcons will begin immediately. It will be led by Blank and McKay, with input from Falcons General Manager Terry Fontenot, and several other appropriate members of Blank’s Atlanta Falcons and AMB Sports and Entertainment organizations. There is no timetable for filling the role.
The Falcons have brought multiple first-round talents on offense during Smith’s tenure, and he could never quite figure out what to do with any of them. Tight end Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London, and running back Bijan Robinson have been three of the NFL’s most camouflaged skill position players, and the only person who was able to stop them consistently was Smith, who seemed bound and determined to show how creative he could be with lesser players, to ill effect most of the time.
In the end, Smith’s fate was likely sealed by four losses in the last five games in the 2023 season, capped off by a 48-17 beatdown at the hands of the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
Before that game, the Falcons ranked 21st in Offensive DVOA, and that was supposed to be Smith’s baby. Atlanta ranked 31st in Offensive DVOA in 2022 and 31st in 2021, so if you want to peer through rose-colored glasses, you could say that this year’s Falcons were a little bit better. But if you watch the tape, you know that this was a hopeless endeavor, especially given how Smith mishandled the quarterback situation.
“Sure, as I’ve said many times, we know the industry that we’re in,” Smith said after the Saints loss, when asked whether he wanted to keep his job. “I love doing what I’m doing. Also, like I’ve told you many times, this is the industry that we are in. I love coaching. I would have loved to win today. Obviously, we didn’t.”
Sadly, Smith left Blank no rational choice for the future of his team.
LOOK: Rooftop view of Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke’s TD pass to Kyle Pitts against the Colts
The Atlanta Falcons did several things that they don’t normally do in their Week 16 win over the Colts. The offense scored points early, the defense racked up six sacks and we got a rare Kyle Pitts touchdown sighting.
The third-year tight end hauled in a 24-yard touchdown from quarterback Taylor Heinicke in the first quarter of Sunday’s game. The Falcons released a rooftop view of Pitts’ sixth career touchdown. Watch below, as shared by the team’s Twitter account below.
PK Dustin Hopkins – Hamstring
QB Trevor Lawrence – Shoulder
WR Jaylen Waddle – Shin
WR DJ Moore – Leg
WR Dontayvion Wicks – Chest
WR Jordan Addison – Ankle
WR Courtland Sutton – Head
TE T.J. Hockenson – Knee
TE Tucker Kraft –
TE Cole Kmet – Knee
Chasing Ambulances
QB Trevor Lawrence – The Jaguars quarterback was questionable last week, returning from a concussion and ankle injury but was active and did not appear limited. Until he injured his shoulder and missed the rest of the game. He’ll get tests on Monday to determine the extent of the injury but he took himself out of the game because of the pain. He has never missed a game, but will be replaced by C.J. Beathard.
WR Jaylen Waddle – Injured his shin on an end-around against the Cowboys and never returned to the field. He was limping significantly at the time but the diagnosis will happen on Monday. The Fins play at the Ravens this week and need all hands on deck for a game that likely determines the No. 1 seed.
WR DJ Moore – He said that he aggravated the ankle injury from a few weeks ago. He did return to the game and caught three of his six targets for only 18 yards in the win over the Cardinals. He’ll need to be tracked in practice this week to make sure he won’t be limited this week in Philly.
WR Jordan Addison – Injured his ankle when he collided with a teammate after an interception.
TE T.J. Hockenson – Injured his knee when a defender tackled him low. Both Viking receivers will be examined more on Monday to determine the extent of their injuries but HC Kevin O’Connell was asked if any of them were serious and he said, “I believe so.” We’ll see what their status is later in the week but the Vikings can ill afford to lose either.
WR Courtland Sutton – The Broncos star wideout has entered the concussion protocol after a hard hit against the Patriots. He left before he caught a pass and never returned. He’s been their difference-maker this year, so his health will be closely tracked to see if he can play against the Chargers this week.
TE Cole Kmet – He was already in the middle of a career-best game with 107 yards in the first half, when the Bears tight end left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury and was downgraded to out. HC Matt Eberflus reported that Kmet’s injury “looks positive.” More news should be known later this week.
Free Agents, Flops and Other Notables
QBNick Mullens – First start was 303 yards and two scores at the Bengals, then this week he threw for 411 yards and two touchdowns. He’ll be an option next week against the Packers but he also threw four interceptions and both Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson were injured, so make sure of their status before grabbing Mullens for the week.
RB Najee Harris – The usage of Harris has always varied and Jaylen Warren has often been talked up as the better back and more deserving of a primary role. But Week 16 saw Harris with a season-high 19 carries for 78 yards and a score in the win over the Bengals. Warren only carried eight times for 24 yards but added five catches for the second straight week. Both are signed through next year.
WR George Pickens – The Steelers No. 1 wideout has disappointed for the last two months while Kenny Pickett and Mitchell Trubisky took turns not throwing the ball well or in the area of Pickens. First week with Mason Rudolph and Pickens responds with a season-best four catches for 195 yards and two touchdowns. He was criticized last week for apparently giving up on plays. Something clicked because his previous meeting with the Bengals was only a month prior and he only managed three catches for 58 yards in it.
QB Josh Allen – The Bills have won their last three games, but Allen threw for just 94 yards and a score against the Cowboys, then 237 yards and one score versus the Chargers and their paper doll defense. He runs in a score weekly, but the offense is changing in Buffalo – just ask the player formerly known as Stefon Diggs.
TE Kyle Pitts – He’s been a shell of what he was as a rookie, but he is turning in around 50 yards per week and scored in two of the last three games. The Falcons may undergo change in the offseason that will impact Pitts, but he is improving just enough to end the season on a higher note.
RB Aaron Jones – He’s signed through next year when he turns 30, so it is notable that he’s finally healthy this season and just ran for a season-best 127 yards on 21 carries. He’s not done much as a receiver with Jordan Love, but he just had far more carries than his other 2023 games.
QB Bryce Young – His rookie season hasn’t been impressive and he’s been compared to C.J. Stroud in an unflattering light this year. But, he’s just thrown his first 300-yard game with 312 yards and two scores in the close loss to the Packers. D.J. Chark (6-98, 2 TD) and Adam Thielen (6-94) both were fantasy-relevant this week.
WR Amari Cooper – He just set a personal record with 265 yards on 11 catches with two scores versus the Texans. Not sure what is more impressive – that monster game or the fact that 16 other players have gained even more in a game. Six had 300 yards, and I do remember when Flipper Anderson set the record with 15 receptions for 336 yards in 1989 against the Saints in overtime.
Huddle player of the week
Syndication: The Record
Breece Hall – He’s suffered behind a terrible offensive line that has worsened. And he plays with the worst passing offense in the NFL. So he’s more than remarkable this week with 20 carries for 95 yards and two touchdowns, plus 12 catches for 96 yards in the win over the Commanders.
Salute!
Drama 101 – Somebody has to laugh, somebody has to cry
WATCH: Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke finds TE Kyle Pitts for a TD on Atlanta’s opening drive against the Colts.
The Atlanta Falcons made a change at quarterback after last week’s loss to the Panthers, and it’s paying off thus far against the Indianapolis Colts. Veteran quarterback Taylor Heinicke connected with tight end Kyle Pitts in the corner of the end zone for a first-quarter touchdown.
Pitts’ touchdown reception, which you can see below, tied the game up at seven.
