After a strong start to the year, the Atlanta Falcons were 6-3 at the midway point and in the driver’s seat in the NFC South ahead of the 4-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whom they beat twice. However, Atlanta had a disappointing second-half collapse, losing two of their last eight games, finishing Raheem Morris’s first year as head coach with an 8-9 record, while Tampa Bay secured the division with a 10-7 record. For the seventh consecutive year, the Falcons had a losing record and failed to clinch a playoff berth.
While they had many surprises, the team had many disappointments. Highlighting one of the many disappointments was their Pro Bowl skill position player.
The Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl tight end had a disappointing fourth season
Highlighting one of the biggest disappointments for the 2024 season is Kyle Pitts. After having an incredible first year, eclipsing 1,000 receiving yards, and being named to a Pro Bowl selection in his rookie season, Pitts has been a disappointment, failing to reach the 1,000-yard milestone in his last three seasons. The former Pro Bowler took a step back in 2024, catching 47 passes on 74 targets for 602 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 2.8 receptions per game (tied for the lowest), 12.8 yards per reception, and 35.4 yards per game (lowest). Outside of 2022, when he missed the last seven games with a torn ACL, 2024 was arguably his worst statistical season as a pro.
For comparison, former Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith, who they released last offseason, had a breakout 2024 season with the Miami Dolphins. Smith boasted career highs in receptions, targets, yards, receptions per game, and yards per game, with 88 receptions on 111 targets for 884 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 5.2 receptions per game and 52.0 yards per game.
Falcons general manager criticized their Pro Bowler’s production after a disappointing 4th season
During Thursday’s press conference, Falcons’ general manager Terry Fontenot told the media the Falcons are disappointed over Kyle Pitts’s lack of development and production over the past three years, and he hasn’t lived up to the high draft pick expectations since his rookie season. Fontenot also went on to say they are not making any excuses regarding his late struggles. Here’s what he had to say about the subject matter:
“When you take a player that high in the draft, obviously you expect a certain level,” said Fontenot via Matt Urben of The Falcons Wire. “We understand Kyle had a really good rookie year, and he hasn’t equaled or exceeded that production since then. There’s no excuses we’re making about it.”
The Falcons hope to maximize his talent and potential this offseason, hoping for a better outcome
“Now at at this point, just like any 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,” Fontenot said. “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.”
Kyle Pitts enters the final year of his rookie contract and has a $10.878 million fully guaranteed fifth-year option for the 2025 season since the Falcons exercised the option last May. Will Pitts dedicate this offseason to getting better in hopes of returning to his rookie form?
