Atlanta Falcons’ Kyle Pitts Makes Strange Declaration For 2024

Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts has a lot to prove heading into 2024, and he knows it.

The University of Florida product was selected by the Falcons with the fourth overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, representing the highest a tight end was ever chosen.

Pitts demonstrated why Atlanta elected to take him at No. 4 right off the bat, hauling in 68 receptions for 1,026 yards and a touchdown en route to a Pro Bowl appearance during his rookie campaign.

However, the following year, a knee injury limited Pitts to just 10 games, and during that time, he logged only 28 catches for 356 yards and a couple of scores.

The 23-year-old bounced back a bit this past season, although he still didn’t quite match his 2021 production, catching 53 passes for 667 yards while reaching the end zone three times.

But with the 2024 campaign on the horizon and Kirk Cousins now under center for the Falcons, Pitts is ready for bigger and better things.

He just chose a rather strange way to say it.

“I would say I’m a super rookie,” Pitts said, via Terrin Waack of the Falcons’ official team website. “I’m not a rookie rookie. But we’re all in this new offense, new regime, new schedule. We’re all in this fresh.”

So, essentially, Atlanta has a new coaching staff and a new offensive system, and Pitts is going to have to learn how to function in it.

That makes sense, as weird as the term “super rookie” sounds.

Pitts also discussed not quite feeling 100 percent in 2023 due to the knee issue he dealt with the year prior, which affected his numbers last season.

“I wouldn’t say it was so much bad during the game,” Pitts said. “It was more the preparation during the week, just dealing with soreness and tightness all through the week. Then, Sunday is show day, so I figured it out.”

Now, Pitts feels healthy and is participating in Atlanta’s organized team activities, and he is excited to show the front office that he can still produce at a high level.

“Definitely it’s a blessing for the upstairs to still have faith in me,” Pitts said. “I’ll try to show them I can do something different this year.”

He will certainly have to if the Falcons want to make the playoffs for the first time in seven years.

Atlanta is relatively short on weapons, as Drake London is the club’s only truly reliable wide receiver. There is also running back Bijan Robinson, who looks like a stud.

But if Kyle Pitts underwhelms in 2024, it will be tough for the Falcons’ offense to truly flourish.