AFC West Team Interested In Trading For Kyle Pitts

April 23, 2026 ,
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts reacts during 2025 game.

The Atlanta Falcons placed the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts this offseason, paying him $15 million for 2026 and keeping their options open in both directions.

Those options now include a trade.

ESPN's Adam Schefter named Pitts among the players likely to draw real trade interest during draft week, and the Falcons GM has done nothing to discourage the conversation.

"I would say, for all the players, we are going to listen," Falcons GM Ian Cunningham told reporters at the owners meetings. "I wouldn't just say Kyle. All players, we are going to listen. That's our job. That doesn't mean that's going to happen. But people call, we'll listen."

Among the teams that have been connected to Pitts in trade discussions, the Kansas City Chiefs are the most frequently cited and the most logically compelling fit.

Why the Chiefs Make Sense

Travis Kelce signed on for his 14th season in Kansas City, but the Hall of Famer turns 37 this year and the succession question at tight end has been a real conversation inside the building.

Pitts is 25 years old and coming off the best season of his career, catching 88 passes for 928 yards and five touchdowns.

Pairing him with Kelce for one season before the veteran steps back would give Patrick Mahomes two legitimate receiving threats at the position simultaneously, which is a frightening thought for opposing defenses.

The Chiefs currently hold two first-round picks heading into the draft and, per CBS Sports, would likely be able to get a deal done by sending one of those to Atlanta.

For the Falcons, the appeal is also clear. Atlanta has only five picks in this year's draft and lacks a first-round selection.

Trading Pitts for a first-round pick gets them back into the opening round while also clearing Pitts' $15 million franchise tag off the books for a team that has Bijan Robinson's extension on the horizon.

The Reasons It May Not Happen

The Falcons' new regime under head coach Kevin Stefanski built its offense specifically around tight end usage, which makes Pitts an ideal fit for the scheme.

Losing him would leave a significant hole, with Charlie Woerner and Austin Hooper as the remaining options. Schefter and other analysts have noted that if Atlanta does move Pitts, the compensation would need to be significant given his age, talent, and recent production.

A day two selection alone is not going to get this done. Whether the price works for both sides is the question that will either make this one of draft week's biggest moves or leave it as another offseason what-if.

Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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