A good portion of the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive roster remains intact from last season, including, surprisingly, Kirk Cousins, who is expected to back up rookie Michael Penix Jr. in 2025.
Atlanta failed to find a trade suitor for Cousins, likely due to his massive contract, which will pay him $27.5 million this season. While Cousins remains the most likely Falcon to be dealt this offseason, he’s not alone.
Tight end Kyle Pitts could also be on the move.
Pitts was notably absent from both OTAs and minicamp, though he was excused due to an “undisclosed foot injury,” according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
His absence has only fueled speculation that the Falcons are actively shopping him, despite publicly claiming they “prefer” to keep the 2021 No. 4 overall pick. According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, multiple teams expressed interest in May.
“‘Prefer’ doesn’t mean ‘will,’ and there are reasons why a trade could make sense for the Falcons,” Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox wrote. “Pitts looked like a future star as a rookie, topping 1,000 receiving yards in his inaugural campaign. However, he’s seen more modest production in the three years since and is simply more of an ancillary option in Atlanta’s current offense.”
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
The Falcons could also free up $10.9 million in cap space by trading Pitts — a significant figure for a team sitting just $5.3 million below the cap.
Knox mentioned the Cleveland Browns as a potential landing spot for Pitts, who could eventually replace veteran tight end David Njoku.
“The Cleveland Browns may also want to kick the tires on Pitts,” Knox said. “They’ve shown a willingness to add promising players who have underwhelmed before—they traded for Jerry Jeudy last offseason—and could view Pitts as a potential long-term contributor.”
Cleveland recently drafted Harold Fannin Jr. in the third round, but Njoku is entering the final year of his contract. The soon-to-be 29-year-old is in the final season of a four-year, $54.7 million extension signed in 2022.
Pitts, 25, is currently on a $10.8 million club option and will become a free agent in 2026. If a trade were to happen, the Browns could look to negotiate a more team-friendly deal for the talented but inconsistent pass catcher.
