The 2022-2023 NFL season drew to a close for Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts with another subpar performance, mirroring the struggles faced throughout the year. Pitts caught just 2-of-3 targets for 15 yards during the Falcons' excruciated 44-38 overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers on January 5, 2023.
This disappointing end caps off a season where Pitts finished with 602 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 47 receptions across 17 games. The expectations for Pitts were monumental following his record-setting rookie season when he surpassed 1,000 receiving yards. Unfortunately, he hasn't approached those numbers since, peaking at only 667 yards the following year.
Die-hard fans and fantasy football enthusiasts alike had high hopes for Pitts this season, especially after last week's thrilling win, which had momentarily rekindled optimism among supporters about his potential and long-term value. Yet, the reality of his target volume remains stark, echoing challenges. Reports indicate his target share this week under quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was merely 16.3 percent of routes run, nearly identical to the disappointing 16.9 percent seen earlier this season.
Just to put it all in perspective, Pitts had managed to score four touchdowns throughout the season, but as the numbers show, he finishes as roughly a mid-range TE2 for most fantasy setups. Despite being such a promising talent, it seems as though Pitts has been somewhat of a letdown for roster owners and analytics experts alike.
After the loss, there were murmurs about the necessity for Pitts to develop more chemistry with Penix and the hope moving forward is for them to harmonize, especially after the impression made over the last week. Still, many casual observers may feel it’s time to temper expectations, suspecting they’ve witnessed the peak of his career already.
Another glaring fact is his lack of targets as the Falcons strategized against the Panthers' defense, which many acknowledged had faltered throughout the season. If team dynamics and game strategy shift positively next season, fans are left questioning: Can Pitts rise once more to claims of elite category production?
While the upcoming offseason will bring hope and rebuilding, Kyle Pitts has been put squarely under the spotlight as analysts and fans alike will be carefully assessing his career’s progression through its tough patches. If there's anything to glean from this season, it's how perception might change almost instantly based on one prolific game which then appeared to get everyone’s hopes up, only to return to what has sadly become the season’s narrative.
Only time will tell, but there is still cautious optimism surrounding Pitts and the entire Atlanta Falcons’ offense as they aim for improvement. If the lessons from this turbulent year hold any meaning, one thing is certain, the franchise will be eyeing the draft closely seeking to bolster key positions and build for the future.