Falcons plan to place franchise tag on Kyle Pitts ahead of free agency
One of the top players in the 2026 free agent class may not reach the open market.
The Atlanta Falcons plan to place the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts, per multiplereports. The second-team All-Pro played out the fifth year of his rookie contract in 2025 and was set to hit free agency this spring.
By placing the franchise tag on him, Atlanta can keep him from signing elsewhere in 2026. But that will come at the cost of paying a fully guaranteed contract to him for the coming season.
The #Falcons are planning to franchise tag standout TE Kyle Pitts, sources say, keeping their playmaker in the fold on a 1-year, fully guaranteed deal worth more than $15M.
- Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 23, 2026
The hope is to work out a long-term deal rather than the tag. The two sides have until July to do it. pic.twitter.com/dwtlUbKxz7