The Atlanta Falcons are turning the corner as a franchise under Kevin Stefanski, and while there is a lot of work to do, the steps the organization is already making in the first year of a new era are obvious.

This past offseason, Stefanski and the new regime in the front office made it a point to commit to the stars already in the building to form a team around them, and part of that commitment was a number of contract extensions for stars on the offense. One of those deals which folks had questions about was a lucrative contract for Kyle Pitts, making him one of the highest paid players at the position.

After a slow start to the year, Pitts has caught fire and has four touchdowns over the last three weeks, and fans are thrilled with his usage that has been such a roller coaster over the years. When asked about his tight end's involvement in the red zone, Stefanski this week made it seem so obvious, and it's what fans have been saying for years.

"Kyle's been very blessed by the good lord," Stefanski said. "He's got great size. He can elevate, great hands. In the red zone, the separation oftentimes comes vertically and not horizontally. I've been around some great guys that are just big and physical and can get up and go get the ball, and Kyle is right in the mix with those guys."

This week, Pitts returns to the state he went to college in and had such a great career with the Florida Gators following his career game last season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their building. With 11 receptions for 166 yards and three touchdowns, the follow up act is what fans are now looking forward to seeing.

Pitts is as involved in the offense as ever, and Atlanta fans have Stefanski as well as offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to thank for that. It stands to reason that using your best players and getting them the football is a recipe for success, and the Falcons are clearly believing in and employing that strategy.

It has been a bumpy road for Pitts since being drafted so highly by this franchise, but it feels like things are finally starting to fully click for the now veteran. Since the moment he took the job, Stefanski has offered significant praise to his tight end both on and off the field, and clearly Pitts is holding up his end of the bargain as well.

Time will tell what another trip to the Sunshine State has in store for him.