Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts has been actively fostering a friendship with quarterback Michael Penix Jr., using golf outings as a way to bond outside of football practice. Their regular time together helps them build trust and understanding, which they believe will benefit their on-field performance during the upcoming NFL season.
Golf as a Way to Relax and Connect
Kyle Pitts described these golf sessions as moments to unwind and enjoy time away from football’s pressures.
“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. He added,
“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.”
Looking Up To Successful Player Duos
Pitts looks to historic tight end-quarterback partnerships as role models for his connection with Penix. He cited the bonds shared by Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs, as well as former Falcons teammates Matt Ryan and Tony Gonzalez.
“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.”
Collaboration Extends from Golf to Football Strategy
Michael Penix noted that their partnership goes beyond social activities, as they regularly discuss plays and routes to sharpen their teamwork.
“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.”
Other NFL Updates: Derrick Brown Discusses Recovery
In other NFL news, Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown shared details about his ongoing recovery after a significant knee injury that will keep him sidelined for the 2024 season. Brown expressed the challenges he faced returning to the field, highlighting his gradual progress through practice and travel.
“I was just definitely anxious, especially coming back from camp,”
Brown told reporters, via PanthersWire.com.
“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 week and the game. I think it was a lot of pestering all week, leading up to that. I definitely sat on the sideline in high anticipation the week before, for the Cleveland game. Didn’t practice. So getting back out there was awesome.”
Saints Await Final Preseason Game to Decide Starting QB
Meanwhile, New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore announced that the team has not yet chosen their starting quarterback for the regular season. Moore indicated the decision would likely be made after the last preseason matchup, suggesting a thorough evaluation process. This update was reported by Katherine Terrell.
Building Bonds Could Boost Falcons’ 2024 Campaign
The developing bond between Kyle Pitts and Michael Penix reflects a growing trend where strong personal relationships off the field translate into improved chemistry during games. Drawing inspiration from legendary duos and investing time to understand each other’s play styles, Pitts and Penix are aiming to strengthen the Falcons’ offensive dynamics for the upcoming season. Their approach shows promise for what fans can expect as both players continue to grow as teammates and friends.