The news has finally come out that Kyle Pitts will officially sign his $15.045M franchise tag with the Atlanta Falcons. This will make him the highest-paid tight end in the 2026 NFL season, surpassing players like Isaiah Likely of the New York Giants and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The top five highest-paid players in 2026 is rounded out by Dalton Schultz of the Houston Texans and George Kittle of the San Francisco 49ers. With his signing, Pitts continues to be the key bet in the Falcons‘ offense.
- Kyle Pitts (Atlanta Falcons) – $15,045,000
- Isaiah Likely (New York Giants) – $14,500,000
- Dalton Schultz (Houston Texans) – $13,100,000
- George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) – $12,900,000
- Travis Kelce (Kansas City Chiefs) – $12,000,000
The numbers that support Pitts’ franchise tag
In the 2025 NFL season, Kyle Pitts enjoyed a productive campaign with the Atlanta Falcons, appearing in all 17 games. He recorded 88 receptions on 118 targets for 928 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the most consistent targets in the team’s passing attack.
Pitts’ contractual future
Kirk Cousins’ Raiders contract will see him double the guarantee he had left on Falcons deal
Although Kyle Pitts has already signed his tender to begin offseason training, both he and the Falcons have until the July 15, 2026 deadline to agree on a multi-year extension. If no long-term deal is reached by that date, he will play the upcoming season under the one-year franchise tag before potentially hitting free agency next year.
Kyle Pitts Sr. #8 of the Atlanta Falcons.
A season with great tight ends
The 2026 NFL season is shaping up to be a massive year for tight ends across the league. Veteran star Travis Kelce has officially signed a one-year extension to return to the Chiefs, while Isaiah Likely has made a high-profile move from Baltimore to the Giants on a three-year, $40 million deal. With these stars anchoring their respective offenses, the position is set to play a pivotal role in the upcoming campaign.
