The Falcons need quarterback Michael Penix Jr. to clean up their mess.
On Wednesday, Penix, who just finished his rookie season, discussed an under-the-radar significant topic in Atlanta for 2025.
Tight end Kyle Pitts, selected No. 4 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, will be playing on his fifth-year rookie option. Unless Penix brings out the best in the previously highly-rated prospect, it could be Pitts' last season with the Falcons.
That would mark a significant blow to a team that reached to select Pitts. Per Stathead, Pitts was the first tight end chosen with a top-four pick in NFL Draft history. He was selected directly ahead of four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who has 5,425 receiving yards and 46 touchdowns in four seasons.
Meanwhile, Pitts has 2,651 yards and 10 touchdowns during the same span.
Atlanta also passed on two two-time first-team All-Pro defenders, cornerback Patrick Surtain II and edge-rusher Micah Parsons, making the Pitts selection an even more glaring misfire.
Penix expressed confidence in his tight end, telling "PFT Live" hosts Mike Florio and Chris Simms, "I'm going to believe in him. He knows that.
"I just talked to him the other day," Penix continued. "We just talked about some of the things that we want to do, and it's like, '... I'm going to give you my all each and every day, and I want you to do the same.'
"Once we do that, our connection is going to continue to build," Penix shared.
"At the end of the day ... I've got to find him and get him the ball, and I know he'll make the big-time plays whenever it's in his hands," Penix ended his thoughts.
Penix has a lot of trust in a player who hasn't exactly earned it.
In Week 16 against the Giants, Pitts bobbled a well-placed throw from Penix inside the red zone, and cornerback Cor'Dale Flott intercepted it.
In Atlanta's final three games with Penix as the starting quarterback, Pitts had seven receptions, 66 yards and a touchdown.
Next season, Penix not only is tasked with ending the Falcons' seven-year playoff drought, but he must also get Pitts more heavily involved in the offense.
Penix already has enough weight on his shoulders. It doesn't help that he must fix Atlanta's past mistakes.
