Per Howe, “teams have been under the impression Pitts could have been available in a trade in the past.” He enters the fifth and final year of his rookie contract and is set to earn a $10.878 million salary. Howe believes that the financial aspect would be “the obstacle” in a potential trade, but teams are sometimes willing to eat a portion of a player’s salary if they are simply seeking future draft capital. If Pitts and Michael Penix Jr. form a strong bond, and that bond yields wins, this could all be moot. He’s a back-end TE1 with upside, entering 2025.

Pitts was cleared from a foot injury in time for the start of camp, but any concerns of a lingering issue can be laid to rest. Speaking Sunday, Fontenot expressed clear confidence in Pitts’ health, while praising the veteran tight end for having “the right mindset” as he enters a contract year. Pitts caught 47 passes for 602 yards and four touchdowns last season, again falling well below the 1,026 yards he totaled as a rookie. Pitts will be 24 at the start of the season and will have a lot to prove if he hopes to land a lucrative deal with the Falcons or another team next offseason.

McFadden noted that Pitts moved around the formation “as he often does” during the team periods of practice. It’s still notable that the Falcons might be giving him an extended look as a wideout, even on the first day of camp. Pitts entered the league as a tight end who was too fast for linebackers and too big for corners. He’s ultimately been too slow to beat defenders with his size and too cumbersome to shake defenders with his speed. A role that focuses on boundary targets may be for the best, even if it hurts Pitts’ ceiling as a tight end.

Morris said Pitts is ready to go but did note that he would have some slight modifications in his practice regimen, as is the case with offensive tackle Kaleb McGary, who is also working his way back from an injury. Pitts was absent from OTAs because of the foot issue, causing some concern that he was going to enter yet another season with a lingering injury. Pitts has disappointed fantasy managers for years and a true breakout looks unlikely at this point. He’s simply a TE2 bet on a solid role with some splash plays for 2025.