NFL

Falcons to franchise tag TE Kyle Pitts

Pitts is set to earn $16.32 million in 2026.

It’s been a confounding career for the tight end. Drafted fourth overall in 2021, the Florida product was projected to be an elite playmaker at the position. Drawing and punishing mismatches was supposed to be Pitts’ forte, and at times, it has been.

Pitts recorded his first — and only — 1,000 yard season as a rookie, yet followed that with three consecutive sub-700 yard campaigns. Those trying years set off alarm bells, but the former blue-chip prospect responded in a big way last season, posting 88 receptions for 928 yards and five touchdowns. That performance made him a second-team All-Pro.

After all those peaks and valleys, it’s difficult to predict what’s next for Pitts. The Falcons likely feel the same, which is partly why the franchise plans to tag him. The 25-year-old will never shine as a blocker, but he’s clearly one of the five or so best receiving tight ends in the sport. It’s uncertain as to how he’ll be utilized under Kevin Stefanski, however.

As paramount of a topic Pitts can be, Stefanski’s first order of business will be deciding who throws passes to the talented tight end. Regardless, there’s lots to settle in Atlanta.

Commanders sign G Andrew Wylie to two-year, $7.5 million contract

The Commanders, even with a new offensive coordinator, are prioritizing continuity across the offensive front.

Wylie mostly served as a backup last season, but started more often than not the two years prior. That experience should serve Washington well, although his play declined noticeably in 2025. If the 31-year-old doesn’t rebound, this contract will be a waste.

NBA

Spurs 114, Pistons 103

This game didn’t have much competition for the top NBA battle of the night. It mostly delivered, too.

The Spurs continue to laugh in the faces of anyone that doesn’t take them seriously as a contender. Sure, San Antonio is young and mostly unproven, but wins like this in Detroit won’t — and shouldn’t — go unnoticed. At 41-16, the Spurs continue to push down every door in their path.

Devin Vassell led the way for San Antonio with 28 points, while Victor Wembanyama tallied 21 points, 17 rebounds and six blocks. Per usual, at least one of the center’s swats were highlight-worthy.

The Pistons should shrug off this defeat, but it’s at least somewhat notable that Cade Cunningham shot 5-of-26. Hopefully this outing quelled some of the MVP talk for the promising guard. Let’s leave that award for superstars.

Kings 123, Grizzlies 114

Late February is a breeding ground for meaningless NBA games. By this time of year, franchises have typically pivoted in one of two directions — to the top or to the bottom. This season, both the Kings and Grizzlies have, well, turned their attention to the cellar. Or to AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson. Look at it however you want. In short, both teams stink.

In a surprise, the Kings stunk less yesterday.

Sacramento recently shut down Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine for the season. I’m not a doctor, but I have my doubts as to how injured both starters truly were. I’m not a cynic, either. But we all know what the Kings (and Grizzlies) are up to. Frankly, I don’t mind it. We appreciate good basketball. We should, um, appreciate bad basketball, too — until Adam Silver blows up the draft lottery rules. Again.

I only sparsely caught the end of this tilt, and I’m fortunate for that. Bad basketball was played, and it was led by Scottie Pippen Jr. The guard managed to shoot 0-for-8, while also turning the ball over seven times. That’ll get you beat, even by the Kings.

Russell Westbrook and Precious Achiuwa led Sacramento with 25 and 22 points, respectively.

NCAAB

New Orleans 77, Stephen F. Austin 73

I monitored this contest for much of the evening, before moving it to TV3 for the finish. (I’ve found it impossible to successfully consume sports with only one TV on a consistent basis. Therefore, I use a three-screen setup as often as I can. It’s perfect for me, as I’d be overwhelmed with anything more.)

As I kept my eye on this Southland matchup, I kept waiting for Stephen F. Austin to seize control — or at least flirt with a lead. Neither happened. Consequently, there are whiffs of fraudulence atop the conference. In a world full of best case scenarios and excuses, we would chalk this defeat up to getting a bad performance out of the system before the league tournament. That sounds silly, but we’ll roll with it.

Coleton Benson led the charge to an upset for New Orleans, scoring 30 points on 10-of-17 shooting. The senior nearly doubled his scoring average of 15.8 in yesterday’s output.

(18) North Carolina 77, (24) Louisville 74

I missed the first several minutes of this affair because ESPN opted to overrun its indoor golf coverage. The network failed to even signal what channel this game would start on, but apparently it tipped on ESPNU. It was annoying, although at least I had Nicholls-Lamar to turn to! (If you didn’t notice, I overstated my excitement there.)

Once I began watching, the offenses were dominating. That didn’t last long, however, as it was Louisville’s mid-game drought that cost the Cardinals the game. Mikel Brown and Ryan Conwell each can fill it up, but the duo teamed to go just 16-of-44 last night. Conwell, in particular, had plenty of ugly misses.

North Carolina deserves some credit for those misfires. Seth Trimble was outstanding as a two-way guard, scoring 30 points and affecting some of the aforementioned misses. The Tar Heels again were without Caleb Wilson, too, as it remains unclear when the superstar freshman will return.

In the meantime, North Carolina has at least two more games to survive without him. Both contests will be in Chapel Hill, as Virginia Tech visits, followed by Clemson. North Carolina-Duke is always a prime-time event, but can you imagine the electricity in the air if Wilson comes back for that tilt in Durham? I almost have chills. Almost.

Nicholls 53, Lamar 52

I mostly stated my thoughts on this game earlier, but I’d be remiss not to add how poor the shooting was. At the under-16 timeout, both teams were a combined 3-of-19 from the field. It didn’t get much better either, as each squad finished shooting 36%.

McNeese 75, UT Rio Grande Valley 68

McNeese, contrary to what the advanced metrics say, isn’t the team it was last season. After all, how could it be? The 2025 Cowboys won an NCAA Tournament game, and were led by Will Wade and numerous power conference-caliber players. Those guys aren’t walking through the door, although there’s still plenty of talent in Lake Charles.

This year, it starts with freshman Larry Johnson. It’s possible the guard will be playing for a high-major next season, but for now, he’s the face of these Cowboys. McNeese is still a charged up, super-athletic wrecking ball, often too much to handle for Southland opponents. That was the case yesterday, as the Cowboys, despite struggling to shoot, raced past UT Rio Grande Valley.