Pitts’ four receptions in that very first game of 2021 were just the beginning. He had a Pro Bowl year as a rookie. But in 2022, he suffered a season-ending knee injury. Pitts rehabbed the injury and returned to action last year, appearing in all 18 games. This season, though, he’s looking to make his mark as a fully healthy weapon again.

To open the 2024 season last week, Pitts recorded the game’s first and only touchdown and had three total catches on three targets. Head coach Raheem Morris said he wants Pitts to be “the best version of himself” in his homecoming game this Monday.

“I’m very excited,” Pitts said when asked about his return to Philadelphia. “It’s going to be a very intense and loud (environment). It’s going to be fun to compete.”

Pitts knows better than anyone how loud and intense Eagles fans can be. He was even one of them during the 2018 NFC Championship game, a stop for the Eagles on their way to a Super Bowl victory that season.

The Falcons tight end said he has about 20 friends and family members in attendance Monday. While it may be meaningful to play in Lincoln Financial Stadium for the first time, it’s more about those relationships and reconnecting with people he hasn’t seen in years.

Devlin is now the associate head coach and defensive coordinator at Ursinus College, which is about 25 miles from downtown Philadelphia. With his training schedule, he’s not sure he’ll make it to the game, but he’s trying. Regardless of whether he makes it or not, Devlin and Pitts haven’t lost touch.

At a youth soccer camp this summer, Devlin had a heated exchange with a young Falcons fan after the coach brought up Pitts.

“You don’t know Kyle Pitts,” the camper said, brushing Devlin off.

Devlin responded, “Yeah, I know Kyle Pitts.”

“No, you don’t,” the camper continued.

Devlin finally FaceTimed Pitts to end the debate once and for all. The Falcons fan and the rest of the kids “went crazy,” Devlin said. He remembers one kid being in shock. He never thought he’d ever get the chance to meet an NFL player.

Although the kids weren’t aware of Devlin’s history with Pitts, it runs deep. It was Delvin who helped Pitts make the transition from quarterback to tight end. When Pitts transferred to Archbishop Wood High School as a junior, the then-teenager had a desire to be a pass-catcher. Devlin saw the vision and helped it come to life.

“You could see on Day 1 that he had the ability, the drive, the work ethic — everything,” Devlin said. “All the intangibles to make himself great. He took advantage of that.”

According to Devlin, Pitts is certainly one of the best athletes in the Philadelphia area.

There’s one story in particular that Devlin feels encapsulates Pitts’ high school career. It’s one that he has video of and six years later he still shows to the athletes he coaches.

In the 5A state championship game, Archbishop Wood faced off against Harrisburg and current Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons. Both Pitts and Parsons battled on both sides of the ball. With Pitts playing defensive end and Parsons playing running back, Pitts knocked Parsons to the ground before he even had a chance to break the line of scrimmage.