In his rookie year, Kyle Pitts, the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history by the Falcons, made a significant impact with 1,026 yards and a touchdown on 68 catches, earning a Pro Bowl appearance. However, challenges such as subpar quarterback play and an injury limited his performance to just 28 catches and 356 yards in 2022. An offseason surgery to address the injured MCL raised expectations for his return in 2023.
Despite the anticipation, Pitts fell short of replicating his record-breaking rookie campaign, concluding the season with 53 catches for 667 yards and a career-high three touchdowns. While this performance didn’t match his initial success, Pitts views the season positively, emphasizing his ability to stay healthy.
Speaking to ESPN before the season finale, Pitts reflected on his goals, stating, “A return to play. A return to, my goal was to finish the year out and healthily get to the end. To get to the 18-game mark, a full year after the injury, that was something I was looking forward to. But the season, that was something that obviously had its ups and downs, its ebbs and flows and it just comes with it. But for the most part, it’s a lot more ups than downs.”
The reality is that Kyle Pitts underwent recovery not only during the offseason but also throughout the season, addressing both an injured PCL and the more widely acknowledged MCL injury, as revealed in a recent Instagram post.
Publicly, Falcons head coach Arthur Smith consistently conveyed the challenges Pitts faced, vaguely alluding to a prolonged recovery without explicitly disclosing the extent of the more severe injury.
Taking a broader perspective, Pitts’ third year in the league should be viewed as a success. Despite contending with inconsistent quarterback play and the added complication of a knee injury, he persevered. According to Falcons tight ends coach Justin Peelle, Pitts has evolved into a superior football player compared to his rookie year, attributing this growth to experience and the development of professional skills.
Looking ahead, the Falcons face a significant decision regarding Kyle Pitts’ fifth-year option this offseason. Even before the full extent of his injury was known, exercising the option seemed like a straightforward choice. Now, it appears inevitable that Pitts will play in 2025 under his fifth-year option.