The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons have developed an interesting rivalry in recent years.
Despite the Bucs making the playoffs in five of the last six seasons, and Atlanta not reaching the postseason since 2017, the Falcons have still given Tampa Bay fits in recent years.
There was last season’s 29-28 debacle, in which the Bucs blew a 14-point fourth quarter lead and lost one of their most critical games of the year in heartbreaking fashion.
Back in 2024, the Falcons pulled off a season sweep over the Bucs, including a 36-30 victory and a 31-26 victory. Too often, Todd Bowles’ defense can’t stop a nose bleed against Atlanta.
Perhaps the biggest factor in that equation is Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts, and that problem isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Kyle Pitts remains Bucs’ biggest headache after Falcons extension
Kyle Pitts had the best game of his career last season against the Bucs, recording 11 receptions for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
Back in 2024, he had another multi-touchdown game with four catches for 91 yards and two touchdowns in a Falcons win.
Some of the best games he’s ever played have come against Tampa Bay, and the Bucs have just about had it with having to face him twice a year.
When Pitts and the Falcons struggled to agree to a contract extension earlier this offseason, forcing Atlanta to use the franchise tag and even prompting some trade conversations, there was a glimmer of hope that his time in the NFC South could be running out.
But earlier this week, the Falcons signed Pitts to a three-year, $54 million extension that will keep him in Atlanta through the 2028 season.
ESPN sources: TE Kyle Pitts and the Atlanta Falcons reached agreement today on a three-year, $54 million contract that includes $36 million fully guaranteed. It is the largest three-year contract for a tight end in NFL history. David Mulugheta of Athletes First and Andre Odom… pic.twitter.com/PYEEMRs8xa
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 23, 2026
Tampa Bay won’t be able to dodge Pitts, who has firmly established himself as a Bucs killer. The only option now is to find a way to slow him down in their annual matchups.
With such a brutal 2026 schedule on the horizon, the Bucs’ divisional matchups will be particularly important, and they can’t afford to let a tight end single-handedly defeat them in those games.
The Bucs need to do whatever it takes to ensure the days of Pitts having career days against Tampa Bay are over.
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