FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Kyle Pitts came into the NFL nicknamed the "unicorn." Now, the former No. 4 overall pick is even more of an enigma.
Expectations for Pitts were high coming into the 2024 season. After almost two years removed from his season-ending knee injury in 2022, a fully healthy Pitts appeared ready to break out much like his Pro Bowl rookie season in 2021.
Instead, Pitts finished the season with 602 receiving yards and a career-high four touchdowns. While the touchdowns were a personal best, apart from Pitts' injury season, this year marked career lows across the board.
Pitts ranked top 15 or top 20 amongst his position group in most categories and showed flashes of his full potential, especially early in the season. He had five games with 50 or more receiving yards, all of which came before the Week 12 bye week.
However, Pitts wasn't the only tight end who made an impact last year. Charlie Woerner had a standout season in his first year back in his home state. The Falcons courted Woerner in free agency in hopes that he would be a power run blocker for this new offensive scheme. Atlanta finished top 10 in rushing yards, and Woerner was a big part of that.
Take it from Bijan Robinson, though, who sang Woerner's praises all season.
"It helps tremendously, and he knows it, too," Robinson said in October. "We'll go to the sideline, or even just on the field, and I'm like, 'Yo, Charlie, that was was amazing. Thank you.' He's always appreciative; he's just so low-key about it. He's like, 'Bro, I got you,' every single time."
Despite some unmet expectations from Pitts, the group accounted for 653 receiving yards and a productive rushing year.
Notable returners: Kyle Pitts, Charlie Woerner
Free agents: Ross Dwelley
2024 production:
- Kyle Pitts: 17 appearances, 15 starts | 602 receiving yards, four touchdowns | 47 receptions, 74 targets (63.5%) | 12.8 yards per reception, 35.4 yards per game
- Charlie Woerner: 16 appearances, five starts | 46 yards | seven receptions, 12 targets (58.3%) | 6.6 yards per reception, 2.9 yards per game
- Ross Dwelley: 17 appearances, no starts | five yards | one reception, one target (100%)
Biggest question facing the position group in 2025: What will the Falcons do with Kyle Pitts?
After exercising Pitts' fifth-year option in August, Pitts is set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2026 unless the Falcons sign him to an extension. In the past two seasons, the Falcons have awarded their former first-round picks — Chris Lindstrom and A.J. Terrell — with contract extensions ahead of their fifth year. Both Lindstrom and Terrell's deals were signed before the regular season began, neither negotiations bled into the final year of their rookie contract. If the Falcons don't decide to extend Pitts by his current contract's expiration, they could perhaps want to find some value back in a trade before then.
That's not saying the Falcons will do that, but rather what the options are.
General manager Terry Fontenot was asked about Pitts and his future with the organization in his end-of-the-season press conference.
"When you take a player that high in the draft, obviously you expect a certain level (of production). We understand that Kyle had a really good rookie year, and he hasn't equaled or exceeded that production since then," Fontenot said. "There's no excuses we're making about it. And yet, right now, at this point, just like any other player, Kyle has to do everything he can do to make sure he's doing everything he can do this offseason to get the best version of himself. We have to make sure we're supporting him and helping him develop in those areas and make sure we're doing everything to get the best out of him so he can help this team win football games. That's what's most important right now."
Join us as we take a look back on our favorite photos from the Atlanta Falcons' 2024-2025 season.