Why Kyle Pitts Should Be Given One Last Chance With The Falcons

The blame may not all fall on Kyle Pitts. With his size at 6-foot-6, what is the culprit of the decline in targets? Could it be a well-known fact of less than stellar QB play out of names like Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke and Marcus Mariota after Pitts having Matt Ryan in 2021 for a productive rookie campaign?

Pitts saw 110 targets in 2021, recording 68 receptions and just over 1,000 yards. His targets dipped in 2022 primarily due to missing several games with injury. The 2023 season saw an increase of 31 targets, placing him at 90 on the year. Then again, in 2024, they were down to 74.

You would think that having young quarterbacks after Matt Ryan, or in Mariota's case, 'experienced' but lacking chemistry with a new team, they would have chosen to use him as a security blanket. Instead, almost 35% of his total catches came within his rookie season, which is unacceptable. 

It boils down to play-calling. The Falcons must implement more plays for Michael Penix Jr. to get Pitts the ball with a script of 8-10 targets per game. It is more beneficial for the Falcons to give Pitts one last season to live up to his potential as a generational type of tight end. With the free agent frenzy starting and the new league year upon us on March 12th, we will soon find out what direction Atlanta is willing to take.