If the San Francisco 49ers had an interest in adding a marquee tight end this offseason, they can scratch one big name off the list.
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Atlanta Falcons plan to place the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts, fully guaranteeing him more than $15 million on a one-year deal.
"The hope is to work out a long-term deal rather than the tag," Schefter added. "The two sides have until July to do it."
The #Falcons are planning to franchise tag standout TE Kyle Pitts, sources say, keeping their playmaker in the fold on a 1-year, fully guaranteed deal worth more than $15M.
The hope is to work out a long-term deal rather than the tag. The two sides have until July to do it. pic.twitter.com/dwtlUbKxz7
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 23, 2026
Pitts' expected return to Atlanta removes one of the more intriguing potential options from the 49ers' free agency radar.
Do the 49ers need tight end help?
San Francisco could still explore adding a veteran tight end or investing a draft pick at the position, particularly given some uncertainty surrounding George Kittle.
Kittle suffered an Achilles injury during the 49ers' playoff win over the Philadelphia Eagles. While the All-Pro is reportedly targeting a Week 1 return, his recovery timeline is not guaranteed.
"They didn't have to drill into my heel," Kittle said in January. "Where the repair was is where there's more blood flow. And so, it takes some time off the recovery."
Kittle is also 32 and entering his 10th NFL season, raising questions about a long-term succession plan. Multiple early mock drafts have linked the 49ers to Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq in the first round as a potential future replacement.
Internal option on the roster
The 49ers may already have a developing contributor in restricted free agent Jake Tonges. After failing to record a catch through his first two NFL seasons, Tonges broke out in 2025 with 34 receptions for 293 yards and five touchdowns. He added six receptions for 73 yards during the postseason.
Pro Football Focus recently ranked Tonges as its ninth-highest-graded tight end of the 2025 season, while Kittle earned the No. 1 overall grade.
With Pitts now off the market, the 49ers must decide whether to rely on Kittle's recovery and Tonges' emergence or pursue another veteran or draft prospect to solidify the position.