Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts has been focusing on building a connection with rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. by spending time together off the field, including playing golf with teammates such as kicker Younghoe Koo.
“Most of the time we go out early, so it’s just me, him and [kicker Younghoe] Koo, and maybe a couple of other guys, where it’s just us out there and we’re just playing fast and just enjoying the time,” Pitts said, via Marc Raimondi of ESPN. “Just like how you say, not thinking about football. So that’s a big thing for us, just hearing the birds chirp and playing music and talking about everything but football.”
Pitts mentioned taking lessons from established relationships between tight ends and their quarterbacks. He cited examples such as Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, as well as Matt Ryan and Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinee Tony Gonzalez during their tenure with Atlanta.
“Just being younger, I like to just watch older people, so seeing Travis [Kelce] and Patrick [Mahomes], seeing when Matt [Ryan] was here, Matt and Tony [Gonzalez],” Pitts said. “Just all of the great quarterbacks who were successful had a great relationship with their tight end. So, just seeing that and learning from other guys, that’s something I kind of authentically wanted to grow with him, and it’s pretty cool.”
Penix noted that these activities have helped them discuss plays both on and off the field.
“I feel like our connection is great, not just what we’ve been doing so far on the field, but off the field as well, because of that,” Penix said. “And each and every day, even when we’re golfing, we talk football, too, every now and then. Just talking about different plays, different routes, and stuff like that. So I feel like that time away from football, we still kind of in that mindset like, OK, yeah we out here having fun golfing but we know what’s the real thing we need to work on and make sure we continue to get better at each and every day and we’ve been doing a great job with it.”
Elsewhere in the NFC South division:
Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown commented on his progress following a knee injury that kept him out for all of 2024.
“I was just definitely anxious especially coming back from camp (…) As soon as I got back I got the oblique injury. Knee’s been good. I think a big thing for me was just making it through a whole week. Traveling with the team on Wednesday practicing on Thursday during the walkthroughs and everything,and just being able to finish out the weekandthe game.I thinkitwasalotofpesteringallweekleadingup tothat.IdefinitelysatonthesidelineinhighanticipationtheweekbeforefortheClevelandgame.Didn’t practice.Sogettingbackouttherewasawesome.” Brown told reporters via PanthersWire.com.
For New Orleans Saints fans awaiting news at quarterback under head coach Kellen Moore: Moore stated no decision has yet been made regarding their starting quarterback for this season; he suggested any determination would wait until after their final preseason game.
