Top Landing Spots for Kyle Pitts if Falcons Trade Star TE

Under general manager Ian Cunningham, the Atlanta Falcons are open for business. The Falcons' new front-office executive praised Kyle Pitts Sr., though he also made comments that fueled trade speculation.

While talking to reporters at the annual owner meetings, Cunningham said he'll listen to offers for the Pro Bowl tight end.

"It's my job as the general manager to do what's best for the organization," Cunningham said. "Kyle is a great player. We've seen his skill set. Also, it's my job to listen. We're excited to have Kyle. We're excited for his future."

Based on head coach Kevin Stefanski's strong history with pass-catching tight ends like David Njoku and Harold Fannin Jr., the Falcons would probably prefer to keep Pitts around for the long term.

However, Atlanta is headed in a new direction, led by Cunningham and its new president of football, Matt Ryan. Team brass franchise-tagged Pitts instead of signing him to a multiyear extension, which opens a window for potential trade suitors to make offers for the star tight end who caught 88 passes for 928 yards and a career-high five touchdowns last season.

If the Falcons move on from Pitts, they could find a cheaper replacement in the upcoming draft, while another team acquires significant help for its quarterback.

Here are five clubs that could look to acquire Pitts and sign him to a massive extension.

Denver Broncos

AP Photo/David Dermer

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix

What if the Denver Broncos aren't done dealing yet?

A week into the new league year, the Broncos acquired Jaylen Waddle from the Miami Dolphins. They'll pair him with Courtland Sutton to field an intriguing receiver tandem that features size and speed on the perimeter.

With quarterback Bo Nix on a rookie deal, Denver can continue to add playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. Keep in mind that Waddle has a modest cap number of $4.9 million this year.

Entering his age-32 campaign, Evan Engram isn't the long-term starter at tight end in Denver. At this stage in his career, he's a serviceable pass-catcher but lacks a presence in the red zone. The nine-year pro has one touchdown reception in back-to-back seasons.

Pitts has struggled to find the end zone in his first five seasons with the Falcons, but his touchdown production is slowly trending in the right direction. Every year in the league, he's upped his season scoring total by one. 

Perhaps Broncos offensive-minded head coach Sean Payton can unlock Pitts' full potential in a revamped offense.

Kansas City Chiefs

AP Photo/David Becker

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce

On paper, the Kansas City Chiefs signed tight end Travis Kelce to a three-year contract, but in reality, it's a one-year, $12 million deal with two void years added, allowing the player and team to rework it after the 2026 campaign.

Although Kelce is still one of the league's most productive receiving tight ends, the 37-year-old is close to the sunset of his career. He contemplated retirement after the 2025 term and could do so again next offseason.

General manager Brett Veach can acquire Pitts to continue the elite lineage of tight ends in Kansas City's recent history. Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez played for the team from 1997 to 2008. A handful of years after the Chiefs traded him to the Atlanta Falcons, they selected Kelce in the third round of the 2013 draft. One day, he'll be in the enshrined in Canton, Ohio as well.

The Chiefs could pair Kelce with Pitts, who would take the franchise tight-end baton from the future Hall of Famer.

In this scenario, Kelce would likely see a reduced role, which would preserve him for the season. 

Early in the previous campaign, head coach Andy Reid discussed managing Kelce's snap count. With Pitts, he can do that and still get production out of the position in his offense. 

Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Jim Rassol

Miami Dolphins’ new quarterback Malik Willis

This offseason, the Miami Dolphins released and traded their best pass-catchers, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, leaving Jalen Tolbert, Tutu Atwell and Malik Washington as their top perimeter skill players.

Expect the Dolphins to add multiple receivers in the upcoming draft, though they could also explore the trade market to bring in talent.

Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley had a close-up look at how a dynamic pass-catching tight end can change the complexion of an offense. With the Green Bay Packers, he saw the rise of Tucker Kraft in head coach Matt LaFleur's system.

In Miami, Hafley needs to help his quarterback, Malik Willis, who also made strides with the Packers over the last two seasons.

Based on the Dolphins' wide receiver and tight end groups, Pitts would be their go-to target in the passing attack. He could post career numbers in an offense built around him.

Remember, the Dolphins acquired a first-round pick from the Denver Broncos in the Jaylen Waddle trade. They could be aggressive for an established playmaker before the draft.

New England Patriots

AP Photo/Charles Krupa

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye

This offseason, the New England Patriots should do whatever it takes to surround third-year quarterback Drake Maye with dynamic playmakers. 

League insiders have linked the Patriots to Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown in the rumor mill. New England can pivot to another big-bodied, athletic playmaker on the trade market.

The Patriots have the sixth-most cap space across the league with $35.3 million. The club can afford to make an aggressive move to spark its passing attack.

The Patriots don't have a dominant lead receiver. They released Stefon Diggs and signed Romeo Doubs, who's been a high-end rotational receiver with the Green Bay Packers.

Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels can feature Pitts and Hunter Henry in two-tight-end sets to create mismatches all over the field. 

By the way, entering his age-32 campaign in a contract year, Henry may not be with the team beyond 2026. Maye and Pitts have the potential to become one of the league's best quarterback-tight end tandems for the long term.

Tennessee Titans

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward

The Tennessee Titans allowed tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo to walk in free agency. Though Gunnar Helm flashed as a rookie last year, catching 44 passes for 357 yards and two touchdowns, he hasn't done enough for the team to pass on the opportunity to acquire a premier tight end.

If the Titans want to see Cam Ward take a second-year leap, they should look to add a talented pass-catcher with Pitts' physical profile.

At 6'6", 250 pounds, with unique speed and athleticism for his size, Pitts can be Ward's safety blanket and a game-changer in the Titans' aerial attack.

Calvin Ridley is coming off a down year in which he finished with a 47.2 percent catch rate and suffered a season-ending leg injury last November. New Titans acquisition Wan'Dale Robinson is a 5'8" slot wideout. At best, Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike are complementary receivers.

At 25, Pitts still has some upside and would bring a different skill set to the Titans' pass-catching group, which should help Ward at a crucial stage in his development.

Player contract and team salary cap details are provided by Over the Cap.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.