Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts is turning heads in his rookie season. He’s made a strong recovery from a disappointing last season that was plagued by injury and bad form. Pitts really came on down the stretch last season, with 47 receptions for 602 yards and three scores. Now, concerns abound regarding whether he can return to his rookie-year glory. Yet he’s showing that he’s more than rising to the occasion in meeting or surpassing expectations on the field.
The Falcons have shown their belief in Pitts by exercising his fifth-year rookie option. This provides the needed assurance that he will remain on the team for at least next season. The next offseason will mark the conclusion of Pitts’ rookie deal. Moreover, he has the knowledge that come 2025, free agency awaits. He acknowledges the pressure, stating, “I believe the only one I have something to prove anything to is myself.”
Some viewers questioned his talent due to last year’s woes. There’s no question Pitts is displaying a different attitude this season. As Tatis recently reflected on his disappointing year, he acknowledged, “I didn’t have the year I wanted to.” After three promising seasons, now he’s set on taking his game to the next level this season.
As of this week, Pitts ranks fourth in the league among all tight ends in receptions and sixth in receiving yards. In his last performance against the Washington Commanders, he looked like a difference-maker. He finished with five receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown. This performance was impressive under any circumstances, but especially so considering he played through a second-half hamstring injury.
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris has marveled at Pitts’ improvement this year. He remarked on how Pitts has excelled in one-on-one situations, saying, “Kyle won big time and kind of man-to-man with Kyle, when we talk in our meetings, it’s like, ‘Good luck to you whoever you are.’”
Pitts attributes his production this year to a new offensive plan. He’s quickly formed a great rapport with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. He stated, “Got a quarterback, got a fresh-start offense and just getting ready to hoop.” Impact for the Hokies That chemistry on field between Pitts and Penix >>> pic.twitter.com/UGLBbBABBL — Curry Heffernan (@CurryHeffernan) October 23, 2021 And Coach Morris has seen that play develop, especially on a huge third-down conversion late in the game against the Commanders.
Pitts has faced his share of adversity, most notably the season-ending knee injury he suffered in his second season. He now calls that experience “perfectly fine” and continues doing his best to help his team win. As they take the next step, he insists that they keep throwing passes and scoring touchdowns.
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