The Atlanta Falcons are in an odd position with Kyle Pitts, as the tight end gets ready to hit free agency for the first time in his career in March. Heading into the 2025 season, it seemed impossible that Atlanta wouldn't want to part ways with a playmaker who had offered zero consistency for the past three seasons.
However, Pitts had a great season with 928 receiving yards and five touchdowns, showing his potential even in a frustrating offense, making him someone who a lot of teams will monitor.
Atlanta, understandably, is likely to chase Pitts and attempt to re-sign the upcoming free agent. However, if a deal cannot be found, there are remaining TE replacement options for the Falcons in free agency, starting with an established veteran and Super Bowl champion that could prove to be the perfect fit.
3 Potential Kyle Pitts Replacements for Falcons
1. Dallas Goedert
Atlanta's offense has a clear bridge to cross this offseason with both Kyle Pitts and Tyler Allgeier slated to hit free agency. If both players depart, there is going to be a big hole in an offense that is obviously driven by Bijan Robinson and Drake London. Still, you need a reliable presence that can serve as a secondary weapon, and Dallas Goedert fits this description perfectly. The veteran tight end is clearly the best option on the market if Pitts isn't going to be retained.
The pending Philadelphia Eagles free agent finished the 2025 season with 591 receiving yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns. While the yardage total is low, it is important to point out that Philadelphia's passing attack struggled and was often focused on feeding star receiver A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. For Goedert, moving to Atlanta offers a chance to play a potentially larger role.
Keeping the younger Pitts makes more sense for the Falcons, but it is very possible that the pass-catcher's potential deal is pushed out of Atlanta's comfort zone. This leaves Goedert as the obvious consolation signing if the Falcons are forced to go in another direction.
2. Austin Hooper
Former Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan has been hired to an incredibly important role within Atlanta's front office. Only owner Arthur Blank appears to be over Ryan, who has a history with current New England Patriots veteran tight end Austin Hooper. The veteran TE put up great numbers with the Falcons, including a 2019 season that saw him tally 787 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
If the Falcons opt to spend money on a second receiver instead of paying Pitts or landing a star, reuniting with Hooper cannot be counted out. The experience pass-catcher is a willing blocker and a trusted former teammate of the most important Atlanta decision-maker heading into the 2026 offseason.
Bringing back Hooper could be the avenue the Falcons choose, even if Pitts stays to attempt to bolster their receiving options at the position. It is a fit to keep an eye on as New England continues its playoff run and Hooper grows closer to hitting free agency.
3. Cade Otton
The Falcons' Week 18 win ended the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' NFC South winning streak and put the team's future very much into question. A piece of Baker Mayfield's offense is slated to hit free agency coming off an incredible performance against the Carolina Panthers with the season on the line. Cade Otton amassed 94 yards in the season's final game and a clutch touchdown catch to help seal the win and keep Tampa's season alive. At least, until the Falcons ended it the next day by beating the New Orleans Saints.
It makes sense to bring in a proven piece like Otton while also stealing from a rival that appears to be on a downturn. Tampa Bay has been a consistent frustration for the Falcons for much of the last decade, and Otton has contributed to this. Removing him from the equation is a no-brainer.
Putting Otton on Atlanta's sideline would be another potential consolation prize if the Falcons are unable to re-sign Pitts. He's only 26 years, so there's still time for him to have his best performance after back-to-back 50-catch, 500-yard seasons.