Whether or not the Atlanta Falcons should trade tight end Kyle Pitts is going to be a point of debate over the next days. With the Nov. 4 trade deadline very quickly approaching, there is every reason for Atlanta to consider moving away from expiring deals.
Moving Pitts in a contract year after seasons of frustration makes sense on its face, but it isn't in the best interest of developing the current core. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has yet to start a full season and is clearly building trust with Pitts. Adding in the weird exit of Ray-Ray McCloud and parting ways with another pass-catcher puts an unfair level of expectation on Penix to create offense.
Keeping Pitts isn't about anything other than keeping familiar pieces in place for a signal-caller who you believe is the future of the franchise. If the Falcons are serious about giving the quarterback his absolute best chance, you simply cannot move Pitts, no matter how enticing it might be.
Falcons Shouldn't Entertain a Kyle Pitts Trade
Why the Falcons would want to move on is incredibly clear, with the veteran tight end having his effort questioned over the last three seasons. After an incredible rookie season where Pitts would finish with over 1,000 yards, the production has been beyond inconsistent. The quarterback or play-caller hasn't mattered; the struggles have stayed the same. This opened up the possibility that the Falcons would opt to search for a trade and cut their losses
There isn't really much reason to trade Pitts as long as the Falcons want to unlock Penix's potential. The value of finding out what exactly you have in your starting quarterback far outweighs the potential of adding a Day 2 or Day 3 pick in what would be a rental for the acquiring team.
For Pitts, there is a level of motivation and pressure that hasn't been present in previous seasons. It is the first real chance at a meaningful payday after playing out his rookie contract. Add in the clear opportunity for anyone other than Drake London to step up, and the reasons to keep the tight end are clear.
Pitts has 344 receiving yards and a lone touchdown on the season, pushing his production in a consistent direction. The Falcons have no choice but to let the year play out and simply hope that Pitts will prove his worth down the stretch, potentially playing himself into a second contract with the franchise.