The Atlanta Falcons were missing two notable players when the club kicked off OTAs on Tuesday – quarterback Kirk Cousins and tight end Kyle Pitts. While both players are not required to attend these practices, their situations are notable for different reasons.

Cousins is famously awaiting a trade partner. He signed a four-year, $180 million extension with the Falcons just 15 months ago, but after the emergence of Michael Penix Jr. last season, Atlanta is going to stick with the former No. 8 overall pick under center. Cousins would surely like to start for a team this season. The question is who would trade for him?

As for Pitts, he’s entering the final year of his rookie contract. Does his absence signal he’s looking for an extension right now? Maybe a new contract isn’t in the forefront of the 24-year-old’s mind right now, but there’s no getting around the fact this 2025 season is incredibly important for him.

Let’s analyze the situations for these two players.

Kirk Cousins

Cousins surprised many people when he attended the first day of the Falcons offseason program back in April. However, it appears the 36-year-old signal-caller is now switching up his game plan as he awaits a change of scenery. OTAs are of course voluntary, but it’s notable that Cousins was not in the building after previously being in attendance for some of Atlanta’s offseason program.

Cousins went 7-7 as the starter in his one season with Atlanta, averaging 250.6 passing yards per game while throwing 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions – which tied Baker Mayfield for most in the league. While the Falcons have postured as if Cousins being Penix’s backup in 2025 is a legitimate possibility, ESPN reported last month that both sides recognize their future is not together.

What about the Pittsburgh Steelers? They can’t wait around for Aaron Rodgers forever. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said last week that Cousins is “at the very least” on the Steelers’ radar, and that the franchise was interested in acquiring Cousins earlier this offseason. They are a team to keep an eye on.

Kyle Pitts

Pitts, who was selected with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, averaged a career-low 2.8 receptions per game and a career-low 35.4 receiving yards per game this past season. Pitts did catch a career-high four touchdowns, but his 602 receiving yards ranked 13th among all tight ends.

Pitts is set to make $10,878,000 on his fifth-year option this season, but every player in his situation would like long-term security – which also comes with more money. Any time a player misses OTAs while entering a contract year, the question has to be asked: Is this absence contract-related? At this point, it’s unclear.

Remember, Pitts put together one of the best seasons by a rookie tight end ever, catching 68 passes for 1,026 yards and one touchdown in 2021. He became the first rookie tight end to cross 1,000 yards receiving since Mike Ditka did so in 1961, but hasn’t crossed 670 receiving yards since.