While Kyle Pitts will be forever revered by Florida fans, his time in the NFL has been a complicated one. After a monster rookie season that saw him top 1,000 yards receiving, Pitts had disappointing years the next three seasons, leading to the “bust” label hanging over his head.
But after a bounce-back year in 2025, Pitts will be getting a pay bump for at least the 2026 season.
Kyle Pitts to get franchise tag from Atlanta
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Atlanta intends to use its franchise tag on Pitts ahead of the 2026 season. The tag prevents Pitts from hitting free agency, as his rookie contract was in its final season in 2025, but it will get him a pay bump. Pitts made about $10 million in 2025, and it is believed he will make north of $16 million in 2026.
The franchise tag is often controversial because it does prevent Pitts from seeking a long-term deal with a potentially even larger payday, but he would still be able to negotiate and work out a deal by July.
After three straight disappointing seasons, Pitts re-emerged in 2025 with a career high of 88 catches for 928 yards and five touchdowns. His 166 yards and three touchdowns against Tampa Bay were his breakout performance and helped Atlanta knock off the Bucs.
Pitts first came to Florida as a four-star prospect as part of the class of 2018. After being seldom used in 2018, he started to emerge in 2019 and was part of the Kyle-to-Kyle duo, pairing up with QB Kyle Trask. Pitts had 12 TDs in eight games in 2020.
He left for the NFL Draft after the 2020 season and was drafted 4th overall by the Atlanta Falcons, making him the highest drafted tight end in NFL history. Atlanta went 8-9 in 2025, missed the playoffs, and fired its head coach, Raheem Morris.