The Atlanta Falcons have spent the offseason trying to move Kirk Cousins. He’s owed a massive salary and likely won’t be the starter when the season begins. So when Aaron Rodgers signed with the Steelers, Atlanta became one of the biggest losers of that move.
“That stinks for Cousins, and the Falcons may not be too thrilled about running out of trade options either. While Atlanta has said it is ‘comfortable’ keeping Cousins around as its backup, general manager Terry Fontenot can’t be eager to hand out a $27.5 million salary to his QB2,” Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox wrote.
Now, tight end Kyle Pitts is emerging as another trade candidate. While he hasn’t asked to be moved, he may be open to a better offensive fit.
“I don’t think it’s a situation where [the Falcons] are aggressively shopping [Pitts],” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said. “But it appears, talking to some other teams, they think Atlanta is at least open to the possibility and Pitts might be as well. I’m told he loves Atlanta, this is not a situation where he’s requesting a trade, but if he has a chance to go to maybe a better offense where he’s more featured.”
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski proposed a three-team deal that sends Pitts to Cincinnati and brings Atlanta a major defensive upgrade.
“Bengals Get: TE Kyle Pitts. Colts Get: DE Trey Hendrickson. Falcons Get: DT DeForest Buckner,” Sobleski wrote.
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“Indianapolis can ship Buckner to the Atlanta Falcons, who have looked to drastically reset their defensive front this offseason,” Sobleski added. “The nine-year veteran can serve as the anchor to a group that will now feature first-rounders Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. flying off the edges. Pitts working in the same offense as Chase and Higgins to open up the middle of the field with Burrow throwing to him can be downright deadly.”
Pitts would thrive in Cincinnati, but his loss would further weaken Atlanta’s offense. Still, adding Buckner could give the Falcons’ defense the veteran leadership it’s missing. The deal could be the right move for Atlanta.
