The Atlanta Falcons are making waves this week, benching quarterback Kirk Cousins—a move that’s left fans and players buzzing. Among the voices chiming in is tight end Kyle Pitts, whose response stirred the pot further, hinting at his growing disenchantment with the situation.
When asked about Cousins’ benching, Pitts quipped, “I just work here, so I’m not really tuned into their decisions. Just going out and trying to get wins.” A sentiment that could easily be interpreted as Pitts mentally distancing himself from the current team strategy.
Kyle Pitts has been an exciting figure since his college days at Florida, where he was heralded as the next big thing—a tight end capable of rewriting the playbook with 1,492 yards and 18 touchdowns over three seasons. But in the NFL, his journey hasn’t been smooth sailing with the Falcons. Despite two different coaching regimes, neither Arthur Smith nor Raheem Morris have quite tapped into Pitts’ full potential. Instead, his role has often leaned more towards blocking than the dynamic receiving threat he was born to be.
This season, Pitts has 40 catches for 536 yards and three touchdowns—a solid contribution, but not the transcendent output Falcons fans had been dreaming of. As the team pivots with Michael Penix taking the reins as the starting quarterback, there’s the scent of change in the air. And with Pitts at just 24 years old, a prime age where tight ends typically hit their stride, the clock is ticking. If the Falcons decide to retool, Pitts might look to align with a team where he can truly shine and contend for championships. In the world of football, time waits for no one, and Pitts may soon seek greener pastures where his talents are fully appreciated and capitalized upon.
