Atlanta Falcons fans woke up with an extra pep in their step Thursday morning because this year's training camp is officially underway. Falcons rookies and veterans reported to the IBM Performance Field in Flowery Branch, GA, on Tuesday, and now that the action has begun, the Atlanta faithful have a better idea of how the 2025 roster is shaping up.
Kyle Pitts is one player whom Falcons fans have been eager to catch a glimpse of. The former 2021 fourth-overall pick is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and desperately needs his best performance to date if he wants a significant raise on his next contract, whether that's in Atlanta or with a new team as a free agent.
After failing to reach the 1,000-yard mark since his rookie year, Pitts has been the recipient of plenty of criticism, both justified and not. During the first practice of Falcons camp, the 24-year-old tight end let his haters know exactly what he thinks about them.
Falcons TE Kyle Pitts Blasts Haters Ahead of 1st Training Camp Practice
As the Falcons opened training camp practice, 11Alive News' Maria Martin asked Pitts about how he deals with "outside noise" in preparation for the upcoming season. Like a true pro, the former Florida Gator revealed that his doubters don't bother him in the slightest.
"I don't read that rat poison," Pitts said. "I don't get on (X) and listen to the bots who can't come out here in 90-degree weather and come do what we do. I don't really read into it. Obviously, you know I'm human, but I don't read into it. I don't pay any mind."
Asked Kyle Pitts on how easy or difficult it is for him to shut out the outside noise, his response: pic.twitter.com/58J54OV2iO
— Maria Martin (@Ria_Martin) July 24, 2025
Even though it can be fun for fans to play armchair general manager/coach at times, Pitts isn't wrong with his response to Martin's question. The majority of football fans can't relate to what NFL players go through from July to January, so it makes sense that the Falcons TE isn't interested in criticism from those who can't relate to him.
After a Pro Bowl campaign as a rookie, Pitts hasn't come close to matching his first-year heights since then. Injuries limited the Philadelphia, PA native to only 10 appearances in Year 2, which may have played a role in his underwhelming 2023 performance as he only tallied 53 catches for 667 receiving yards and three touchdowns, a notable drop-off from the 68-1,026-1 stat line he posted in his rookie season.
Although he finished with fewer catches (47) and yards (602) in 2024 than he did in the previous year, Falcons fans should still be encouraged by his outlook. Pitts' four TD receptions, 63.5% catch rate, and 84.4 passer rating when targeted were all new personal bests, and he even had his longest receptions (52 yards) since his inaugural campaign (61).
If he can pick up from where he left off while playing with the same attitude he's showing in camp, Pitts could have a productive year with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. under center. The duo continuing to build their chemistry would go a long way in helping the Falcons reach the playoffs for the first time since 2017.