Falcons Reportedly Considering Trading Kyle Pitts to Chiefs

Proposed deal would send the star tight end to Kansas City for multiple draft picks

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:53pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football game or match between the Atlanta Falcons and Kansas City Chiefs, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color.A proposed trade that would send star tight end Kyle Pitts from the Falcons to the Chiefs highlights Atlanta's willingness to move on from high draft picks.Kansas City Today

The Atlanta Falcons are reportedly considering trading star tight end Kyle Pitts to the Kansas City Chiefs in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick. The Falcons have struggled to maximize Pitts' potential since drafting him fourth overall in 2021, and the team may be looking to recoup valuable draft capital by moving on from the talented but inconsistent tight end.

Why it matters

The proposed trade would be a significant move for both teams. For the Falcons, it would allow them to potentially get good value for Pitts before he becomes a free agent, while also adding much-needed draft picks to their arsenal. For the Chiefs, acquiring Pitts would give them a dynamic pass-catching threat to pair with Patrick Mahomes and their high-powered offense.

The details

According to the report, the Falcons are considering the trade proposal because they are hesitant to give Pitts a long-term contract extension after his first three seasons in the league. While Pitts has put up solid numbers, the team may feel they can get better value by trading him now rather than committing to him long-term. The Chiefs, meanwhile, are known to prioritize tight end talent, and Pitts' athleticism and pass-catching ability would make him an ideal fit in their offense.

  • The Falcons drafted Pitts with the 4th overall pick in 2021.

The players

Kyle Pitts

A 24-year-old tight end who was drafted 4th overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2021. He has put up solid but inconsistent numbers in his first three NFL seasons.

Ian Cunningham

The general manager of the Atlanta Falcons, who is known to prioritize adding draft picks.

Andy Reid

The head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, who is renowned for his ability to maximize the talents of his offensive players.

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What they’re saying

“The deal may be interesting because Stefanski loves his tight ends. However, the Falcons are paying Pitts $15 million for one year of football. Sure, he can re-sign, but he can also head elsewhere post-2026 for a big, long-term deal. There is risk present here, and it can be offloaded for a long-term profit that the Falcons will need.”

— Thomas Carelli, Fantasy Sports Writer

What’s next

The Falcons will need to decide if the proposed trade package from the Chiefs is enough value to part ways with Pitts, or if they will look to keep him and potentially sign him to a long-term extension.

The takeaway

This potential trade highlights the Falcons' dilemma with Pitts - he has shown flashes of brilliance, but has yet to consistently live up to his draft pedigree. By trading him now, the Falcons could recoup valuable draft capital to help rebuild their roster, but they also risk missing out on Pitts reaching his full potential with another team.