Commanders Miss Out on Top Free Agent TE After Falcons Tag Kyle Pitts

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The Washington Commanders were preparing for a crucial offseason with the 2026 NFL free agency period just two weeks away. However, the latest NFL domino has fallen, as the Atlanta Falcons have placed the franchise tag on standout tight end Kyle Pitts, keeping him off the open market. This takes one of the top free agent options off the board for the Commanders, who will now have to set their sights on other tight end targets in free agency.

Why it matters

The Commanders were hoping to land a top-tier tight end in free agency to bolster their offense, but the Falcons' decision to tag Pitts removes that possibility. Now, the Commanders will have to explore other options, including veteran Dallas Goedert or younger rising players like Isaiah Likely, Cade Otton, and Chigoziem Okonkwo. The team needs to find a way to replace the production of Zach Ertz, and the free agent market has become more limited with Pitts' removal.

The details

The franchise tag for Pitts is worth $16 million, which is around what he was projected to make on a long-term deal. This keeps him in Atlanta, but the Falcons still have until July to work out a long-term contract. With Pitts off the market, the next highest-ranked free agent tight end is 31-year-old Dallas Goedert, who is coming off a career-high 12 touchdowns in 2025. After Goedert, the group gets younger, with players like Isaiah Likely, Cade Otton, and Chigoziem Okonkwo projected to command $9-$11 million per year on the open market.

• The NFL free agency tampering window opens on March 9, 2026.
• The Falcons placed the franchise tag on Kyle Pitts on February 23, 2026.

What’s next

The Commanders will have to pivot their free agency plans now that Kyle Pitts is off the market. They will likely focus their attention on other top tight end options like Dallas Goedert, Isaiah Likely, Cade Otton, and Chigoziem Okonkwo.