Falcons TE Kyle Pitts explains why 2023 season was a success

The Falcons fell short of making the playoffs for the sixth straight season. And although TE Kyle Pitts has only been with Atlanta for half of that time, he still considers 2023 to be a success.

"My goal was to finish the year out and healthily get to the end," Pitts told ESPN's Michael Rothstein. "To get to the 18-game mark, a full year after the injury, that was something I was looking forward to."

That was a good goal for Pitts to have after missing a large portion of 2022 due to a hamstring injury and torn MCL. 

But that doesn't mean the 23-year-old should be happy. Atlanta fans surely aren't after Pitts, who the team drafted to help it get back to playing winning football, only had 667 yards and three touchdowns this season.

The No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft has never lived up to the expectations of being the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history.

Many would argue that Pitts hasn't been used correctly in the Falcons offense, but he is only focused on doing his part.

"I control what I can control. I just go out here and play," Pitts said. "Learn, practice and give the best effort I can. And that's it."

Maybe the team's change in head coach this offseason could save his career. Atlanta fired head coach Arthur Smith and is going into the second round of interviews with Bill Belichick, who's always gotten the best out of his players.

If the Falcons do hire Belichick, Pitts will need the coach to do exactly that for him as he is entering the final year of his rookie deal.

Atlanta must first decide whether to pick up Pitts' fifth-year option this offseason, but it would be surprising if it doesn't, given the investment it has put into him.

However, next year could be a make-it-or-break-it season for Pitts, who must have bigger goals than just staying healthy.