Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons’ Kyle Pitts had one request from Kirk Cousins to give up No. 8 jersey

By Jeff Smith | Last updated 3/14/24

The Atlanta Falcons left no question about their determination to convince Kirk Cousins to sign with them in NFL free agency. The $100 million guaranteed he received proved that point, and now Cousins is gearing up for a fresh start after coming to terms on the four-year, $180 million deal with Atlanta.

Fortunately for the 35-year-old signal-caller, it appears it won't be too tough for him to acquire the No. 8 jersey from tight end Kyle Pitts. As NFL Network's James Palmer reported, Cousins told Pitts he wouldn't take the number without writing a check for it, but the tight end reportedly said all he may want in return is for his new quarterback to get him targets.

Kyle Pitts reached out to Kirk Cousins on #8. Cousins said to him that he wants to be a good teammate, if you really want it you keep it. Cousins said he won't just take the number. If he gets it, he'll write a check. A check to a charity, whatever. Pitts joked all he might want…
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) March 14, 2024

Pitts's request was funny, but he may also have been at least slightly serious about it. The 23-year-old entered the league as the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Florida, where he totaled 770 yards and 12 touchdowns in just eight games as a junior.

The widespread belief is that Pitts has been underutilized, specifically over the past two seasons with the Falcons. After a rookie campaign in which he caught 68 passes for 1,026 yards but scored just one touchdown, he has yet to come close to the 1,000-yard mark in the two seasons that followed.

Pitts scored a career-high three touchdowns last season but saw 20 fewer targets than his rookie season and ended with 15 fewer catches to go with 667 receiving yards. Considering the dynamic upside he showed in college, if Cousins and Pitts can connect in Atlanta, it could lead to a career-year for the tight end in 2024.

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