The San Francisco 49ers might be able to kill two birds with one stone if they add a quality playmaker who can also fill in for George Kittle while he’s out due to injury. This option no longer exists.
The Atlanta Falcons will franchise tag 25-year-old tight end Kyle Pitts, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported on Monday. According to Rapoport, the club and their former No. 4 overall pick will work toward a long-term extension.
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TE’s franchise tag is one-year, $16.3 million fully guaranteed through 2026, according to Over the Cap.
It’s unclear exactly how much the 49ers will spend to acquire the player who is one spot behind quarterback Trey Lance in the 2021 draft. However, considering Pitts’ breakout season in Atlanta, this fit makes sense. He finished with a career-high 88 receptions for 928 yards and a career-high five receiving touchdowns.
Pitts could have filled some of the organizational void when Kittle was sidelined with an Achilles injury, but his versatility will allow him to play alongside Kittle.
It’s still possible that Pitts could be traded, in which case the 49ers would likely be in the running. On the other hand, the idea of the 49ers spending money to acquire and pay a tight end is far-fetched.
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Atlanta has until July 15 to reach a long-term deal with Pitts. If they can’t come to an agreement, Pitts will either be traded or play through 2026 on a $16.3 million tag.
Pitts had 284 catches for 3,579 yards and 15 touchdowns in five seasons. He was already a Pro Bowler when he was a rookie, throwing for 1,026 yards. In 2025, his career earned him a spot on the All-Pro Second Team.
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This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: NFL Free Agency: 49ers target Kyle Pitts Team tagged Falcons