The Kyle Pitts contract is good value for the Falcons

TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 11: Kyle Pitts Sr. #8 of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 11, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Falcons signed tight end Kyle Pitts to

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What is the story about?

The Falcons signed tight end Kyle Pitts to a massive 3-year deal this week, prompting strong reactions from fans and analysts. Kevin Knight breaks down the deal, comparing Pitts’ production and cost to other tight ends and wide receivers and explaining why the deal is an objectively good value for Atlanta. Fellow Falcoholics, welcome to another episode of the Dirty Birds and Brews podcast!

All of the details are broken down more thoroughly in the shows below, but I’m adding in my research notes here

for those who prefer the written content. It’s a little bullet-pointy, but wanted to give you something to peruse quickly!

Kyle Pitts extension

3 years, $54M, $18M/yr, $36M guaranteed

3rd highest paid TE in APY (Average Per Year), behind George Kittle ($19.1M) and Trey McBride ($19M). Just ahead of Brenton Strange ($16M) and Isaiah Likely ($13.3M)

5th in TE receiving yards since entering the league in 2021
2nd in TE receiving yards, 22nd in overall receiving yards in 2025

To put that in context…

Pitts is cheaper AND matched or beat the production of:

DK Metcalf ($32.9M), Jaylen Waddle ($28.25M), D.J. Moore ($27.5M), Christian Watson ($23M), Jakobi Meyers ($20M), Jerry Jeudy ($17.5M), Michael Pittman Jr. ($17.5M), Romeo Doubs ($17M), Rashid Shaheed ($17M)

In short, Pitts can provide roughly top-20 receiving production for the price of 27th. One could argue his value as a matchup problem from the TE position provides additional value, and while Pitts is not an impactful blocker, he still provides better blocking than most WRs.

This is also a contract with significant upside and limited risk. The Falcons keep Pitts under contract for 3 years at a reasonable salary, with what is essentially a team option for Year 3. Atlanta is only committed for two years at a price that Pitts can clearly outproduce.

Pitts is just 25 years old and has only sparingly been used as a top target in the offense (2021 and 2025). In Stefanski’s historically TE-centric offense, Pitts offers significantly more value and is much more likely to deliver on his contract APY.

The video and podcast versions are below if you’d like even more explanation and context.

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