Kyle Pitts Contract Extension Discussed by Falcons Assistant GM, 'One Step At A Time'

With Kyle Pitts heading into the final season of his rookie contract, the Atlanta Falcons don't seem to be in a rush to extend the 24-year-old tight end.

Falcons assistant general manager Kyle Smith told reporters on Saturday they want to take it "one step at a time" when asked about Pitts' contract status.

Smith's comments track with some of the recent reporting about Pitts' contract. D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution wrote on July 14 there have been "no whispers" of an extension for the veteran tight end.

The Falcons picked up the fifth-year option in Pitts' rookie contract back in April 2024. He is set to earn $10.9 million this season.

There has been some shifting in the tight-end market this offseason. Trey McBride initially became the highest-paid player at the position when he signed a four-year, $76 million extension with the Arizona Cardinals in April.

George Kittle surpassed McBride's deal when he got a four-year, $76.4 million deal from the San Francisco 49ers later that same month. They are currently the only tight ends making at least $18 million per season.

Pitts' performance through his first four seasons wouldn't seem to put him on that threshold, but there have been flashes when he has looked like a top-tier tight end.

The Florida alum joined Mike Ditka as the the only rookie tight ends in NFL history with 1,000 receiving yards when he hit the mark in 2021. Brock Bowers joined the exclusive club last season.

Since that impressive debut season, though, Pitts has amassed a total of 1,625 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 44 games over the past three years combined.

Pitts' usage has also been a key focal point throughout his career. He played fewer than 60 percent of the Falcons' offensive snaps in eight of their final 10 games and fewer than 50 percent in each of the final four games last season.

There was also buzz that the Falcons were taking calls from opposing teams interested in acquiring Pitts. It certainly seems like he will enter this season with the club, but his long-term status in Atlanta could depend on how well he performs with Michael Penix Jr. poised to be the starting quarterback in Week 1.