The Atlanta Falcons just made Kyle Pitts the highest-paid tight end in NFL history on a three-year deal. But it’s what happens in the meeting room — not just on the highlight reel — that convinced the team to go all in.
The contract is worth $54 million with $36 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Pitts was playing this season under the franchise tag, so the timing of the extension makes sense for both sides. He’s coming off a 2025 campaign with 88 catches for 928 yards and five touchdowns. Solid numbers. Good enough for the front office to view him as a cornerstone piece for head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense.
Stefanski opens up on Pitts’ growth
Stefanski doesn’t hand out empty praise. So when he went out of his way to talk about Pitts’ mental approach during recent workouts, it meant something. In comments reported by The New York Times, Stefanski said the physical tools have never been in question — Pitts is 6-foot-6 and moves like a much smaller player — but the stuff that doesn’t show up on tape has stood out this offseason.
“Obviously, the physical skill set is obvious when Kyle’s on the field, with how big he is and how he moves, but I’ve been impressed with a couple new things we’re asking him to do,” Stefanski said. “As your players continue on in their careers, you want to find out more: What else is in there? And what else can we do? And what can we help you with? I think Kyle’s been outstanding in that regard of trying to continue to get better in so many areas.”
That last part matters. Stefanski is known for being detail-oriented and demanding. If he’s publicly praising a player’s willingness to expand his role, it tells you the coaching staff sees untapped potential in Pitts even after four seasons.
Not everyone loves the deal
The Falcons’ front office is clearly excited. But national media reaction has been mixed. On ESPN’s NFL Live, two-time Super Bowl champion Booger McFarland threw some cold water on the celebration. He pointed out that NFL contracts often pay for what a player might become, not what he’s already done.
McFarland acknowledged Pitts’ production ticked up in 2025. But he also noted that Pitts hasn’t fully lived up to the massive expectations that followed him out of Florida. He was the No. 4 overall pick in 2021. That comes with a certain standard. And while his 2025 numbers are solid, they’re not jaw-dropping for a player making record-setting money at his position.
Still, the Falcons are betting on the trend line. And with Stefanski designing the offense, they think Pitts can be more than just a mismatch in the passing game. They want him to be a complete weapon — lining up inline, out wide, in the slot, maybe even taking some handoffs. The extension says they believe that version of Pitts is coming.
Whether that bet pays off starts this fall.
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