ATLANTA — The Atlanta Falcons and tight end Kyle Pitts agreed to a three-year, $54 million contract extension on June 23, 2026. The agreement includes $36 million in fully guaranteed money and keeps Pitts with the team through the 2028 season.

The contract has an average annual value of $18 million, making Pitts the third-highest paid tight end in the NFL. George Kittle has an average annual salary of $19.1 million, and Trey McBride has an average annual salary of $19 million. Pitts' $36 million in full guarantees is the highest figure for a tight end in NFL history, and the three-year, $54 million deal is the largest three-year contract for a tight end in league history.

Pitts played the 2026 season on a franchise tag valued at $15,045,000 before this extension was agreed upon. He was selected by the Falcons as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Pitts recorded 88 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns in the 2025 season. He also had 118 targets during the 2025 season.

In 2025, Pitts' 88 receptions ranked tenth among all NFL players and second among NFL tight ends. His 928 receiving yards led all Falcons pass catchers and also ranked second among NFL tight ends. He earned Second Team All-Pro honors for the 2025 season.

On December 11, 2025, Pitts caught 10 passes for 165 yards and three touchdowns in a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which the Falcons won 29-28. Kirk Cousins was the quarterback for the Falcons during that game. Pitts has accumulated 3,579 career receiving yards and 284 career receptions with 15 career touchdowns across 78 games played. His 3,579 career receiving yards rank fourth among tight ends since 2021, behind George Kittle, Travis Kelce, and Mark Andrews.

Pitts played in 10 games during the 2022 NFL season but appeared in every game for the Falcons in 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025. He started 72 of his 78 career games. Pitts recorded 1,026 receiving yards in the 2021 season, becoming the first rookie tight end to exceed 1,000 receiving yards since Mike Ditka in 1961. He made the Pro Bowl after the 2021 season. Pitts did not reach 700 receiving yards in any season from 2022 to 2024. The Falcons are scheduled to begin their 2026 season on September 13 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Context

The contract extension secures Pitts for the team's future. The deal places Pitts among the highest-paid tight ends in the NFL, reflecting his production in the 2025 season, where he ranked among the league leaders at his position in receptions and receiving yards. The Falcons failed to make the playoffs for eight consecutive seasons prior to the 2026 season.