Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins ​​​​has a powerful new weapon and is doing everything he can to get the most out of him.

Via Will McFadden of the team’s official website, Cousins ​​said on Thursday that he was challenges tight end Kyle Pitts in two specific ways.

“I encourage him to use that length as much as possible,” Cousins ​​said. “Whenever he lets the ball into his body, I tell him, ‘That wasn’t good enough. You should never let it into your body. You’re too good to let it into your body.’ …

“And then I challenge him when I feel like he’s not running as fast as he can. I say, ‘That wasn’t good enough. It was fast enough for a lot of tight ends, but it’s got to be faster for you.’ . . . .

“I always say, ‘Did you run as fast as you could and did you grab it with aggressive hands? Those are the two things I challenge him on. I said, ‘If you do that, production can’t help but come.'”

Maybe those two things will help Pitts realize a potential that has so far gone untapped. Pitts had 1,026 receiving yards as a rookie. Injuries limited him to 356 receiving yards in 2022. Last year, despite playing in every game, he caught just 53 passes for 667 yards.

If he does what Cousins ​​tells him, Pitts could just have his best season yet. And that could also help keep Cousins ​​at quarterback and leave rookie Michael Penix Jr. on the bench.