The Atlanta Falcons offense is going to look very different in 2024 and Kyle Pitts may finally reach his full potential if Kirk Cousins doesn’t kill him first. There was a moment at training camp on Monday that went viral on social media for all of the wrong reasons.
Thank goodness it was just practice!!
Pitts was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He burst onto the scene with 1,026 receiving yards on 68 catches as a rookie but only caught one touchdown. And then he took two big steps back in 2022 and 2023 while failing to eclipse the 700-yard mark in either year. His role in the offense did not put him in the best position for success.
As a result of Pitts’ struggles, in addition to a disappointing losing record, owner Arthur Blank cleaned house. The entire coaching staff is gone. Zac Robinson was hired to run the offense after two years as the passing game coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams.
Cousins’ arrival is also a big upgrade from Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke— on paper at least.
Kyle Pitts should be used more often in Robinson’s offense and Cousins should get him the ball. Both of those things were on display during practice on Monday. Atlanta posted a video of its star tight end catching a downfield pass from his quarterback.
There was only one problem…
If the exact same scenario was to happen in a real game, the defensive back would’ve sent him to the hospital. Kirk Cousins (or whomever threw the ball) hung Pitts out to dry and put him in a position to get blown up while in the air!
Cornerback A.J. Terrell had to pull up at the last second to prevent a catastrophic collision.
Good catch? Yes. Good throw? Eh. Smart throw? No.
Pitts was inches away from seeing the light!