NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons picked up tight end Kyle Pitts' fifth-year option on Monday. The fourth overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft will stay with Atlanta through at least 2025. The option carries a guaranteed $10.878 million salary for 2025. Pitts was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2021, when he caught 68 passes for 1,026 yards and one touchdown, but his production had tailed off in the two seasons since, in part due to a torn MCL midway through his sophomore campaign. Pitts, 23, has totaled 149 receptions for 2,049 yards and six touchdowns over 44 career games (40 starts) while catching passes from Marcus Mariota, Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke in the past two years. The Falcons signed quarterback Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract in free agency before adding QB Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth pick in the draft last week. Atlanta is also expected to have a new game plan under Raheem Morris, who was hired to replace Arthur Smith as head coach. Speaking at the owners' meetings last month, Morris indicated he was high on Pitts. "He's the mayor of Atlanta," Morris said. "I think he wants to come back and have a highly productive year. I think he's excited about his partnership with some of the guys that we brought in." --Field Level Media