It was recently announced that standout Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts has played his last game in the 2022 NFL season.
Pitts is a 6-foot-6, 247-pound tight end, and was highly touted upon coming into the league in 2021.
Falcons’ TE Kyle Pitts underwent season-ending knee surgery Tuesday, per HC Arthur Smith. pic.twitter.com/4mZulgZeKl
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 30, 2022
He was drafted by the Falcons as the fourth overall pick, making him the earliest tight end ever drafted in the NFL.
Pitts had a solid rookie season, garnering 68 receptions totaling 1,026 yards, and only one touchdown.
In 2022, Pitts had a slow start to the season before his injury, with only 28 catches for 356 yards and two touchdowns.
Why Did Pitts Have Such A Small Role In The Offense?
For starters, the Falcons haven’t been passing the ball much.
The Falcons are averaging just 23 pass attempts per game, second worst to the Chicago Bears.
Although they have been behind for the majority of their games, the Falcons have elected to run the ball far more than they have passed.
While they are 31st in overall pass rate, the Falcons are third in the NFL in rushing attempts, behind only Chicago, and the Philadelphia Eagles.
This severe reduction in pass rate left players like Pitts, and 2022 first-round pick Drake London, left to fend for a very small piece of a very small pie from quarterback Marcus Mariota.
With any luck, the Falcons will use their early draft pick to select their next franchise quarterback in 2023, replacing Mariota.
With Pitts hopefully back healthy, the Falcons can rely on him and London to carry the bulk of their receiving work.
