The Atlanta Falcons delivered a statement win against the Green Bay Packers, putting up 35 points behind dominant performances from Bijan Robinson and Drake London. Yet, for all the offensive fireworks, one massive piece of the puzzle remains frustratingly out of reach: the tight ends. Kyle Pitts, once projected as a cornerstone of the franchise, has been little more than an afterthought in the early stages of 2026.
It’s a puzzling trend, especially considering the offensive mind calling the plays. Kevin Stefanski built his reputation in Cleveland on a tight-end-centric attack, but a closer look reveals that his heavy tight end usage was often a product of lacking true star power at wide receiver. In Atlanta, that isn’t the case. With Drake London occupying the top spot and Bijan Robinson acting as a cheat code in the backfield, the target distribution has shifted dramatically. Robinson is commanding a hefty share of the team’s targets, a stark contrast to the running back target share in Stefanski’s Cleveland days.
Beyond the running back, there’s a positional overlap issue. Both Kyle Pitts and Drake London thrive in the “power slot” role. Because their skill sets are so similar, it often feels like a zero-sum game where only one can dominate while the other fades into the background.
The good news is that the return of Michael Penix Jr. could be the catalyst needed to change everything. When Penix was out, the offense was forced into relying on safe checkdowns and screens to Robinson. With Penix stretching the field vertically, defenses will have to respect the entire depth chart. That should naturally open up the middle of the field, creating the opportunities Pitts needs to get going.
Atlanta has already committed big money to both London and Pitts this offseason. Finding a way to get both players fully involved is no longer just a luxury—it’s a necessity. If the coaching staff can figure out how to balance this act, the Falcons’ offense goes from great to absolutely lethal.
