The clock is ticking for the Atlanta Falcons and tight end Kyle Pitts. With the NFL's 2026 regular season schedule set to drop tomorrow evening, the league is about to enter its quietest stretch—when news is scarce until training camp kicks off in late July. But don't expect the Falcons to stay silent. The front office has two major priorities: locking down wide receiver Drake London and finalizing a long-term deal with Pitts, who has already signed his franchise tag.

Pitts is one of just two tagged players league-wide yet to secure a new contract, alongside Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens. According to Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, both have until 4 p.m. ET on July 15 to hammer out an extension. After that, their only option is to play under the tag and hit free agency again in 2027. For Pitts, that means a fully guaranteed $15 million salary this season—but an extension could save the Falcons over $11 million, per Over the Cap. That's a major incentive to get a deal done.

Progress has been gradual for the former No. 4 overall pick from 2021, but Pitts is trending upward. He's coming off a breakout season, posting career highs in catches (88) and touchdowns (five), while his 928 receiving yards marked his best since a stellar rookie campaign (1,026 yards). Rumors swirled ahead of the NFL Draft that the Falcons were shopping Pitts, but nothing materialized. If Atlanta believes his trajectory continues upward, securing him with a major extension could be a game-changer for the offense—and a smart long-term investment.