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Atlanta Falcons OTAs Start Without Some Key Names, Including Cousins And Pitts

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Petry | Last updated May 28, 2025 10:10 AM ET

Atlanta Falcons OTAs started yesterday, and the team was missing a few notable players who were absent.

Names like Kirk Cousins, Kyle Pitts, Ray-Ray McCloud, and Kaleb McGary were just a few who were no-shows at yesterday's OTAs. Of course, with Kirk Cousins dominating the headlines recently, not being there wasn't necessarily a surprise, but Pitts' absence has raised some eyebrows.

The team fully expects Pitts to take the leap this year, which could be his last in Atlanta if he doesn't provide the output numbers to justify his contract. Over the holiday weekend, Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson spoke about his expectations for Kyle Pitts.

"He's in year two of the system, and I think the thing we've always talked about with Kyle is just play fast," Robinson said on Monday. "No matter what, play fast, take the thinking out involved with it. That's more of what we're looking for from Kyle is just that next level of that understanding of the offense."

It wasn't specified why Pitts was absent, as this is his fifth year of his rookie contract, which is usually a season where you either make or break your justification for a new veteran deal.

Atlanta made Pitts the team's fourth overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, making him the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history. Given that OTAs are "voluntary" and contact is not permitted, they are a time where chemistry is developed, along with learning how to gel with teammates, work on route timing, etc.

It's not the best look for Pitts to be absent, but the team still has a few more occasions with mandatory mini-camp coming up before training camp starts this summer.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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