RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesOver the course of three years, the Atlanta Falcons used top 10 picks to overhaul their offense with three different high impact skill players. The crown jewel in that bunch -- impressive, considering it includes Drake London at wideout -- is Bijan Robinson.
The former Texas tailback has lived up to expectations in his three seasons in the NFL. He was a 2025 first-team All-Pro after a league-high 2,298 yards from scrimmage last fall. His 249 rushing yards over expected (RYOE) were third-best in the NFL and made even more impressive by Atlanta's mediocre passing attack. His 820 receiving yards were second only to Christian McCaffrey among running backs.
But in a preseason where the Falcons' quarterback situation is dire enough to necessitate signing Cooper Rush , Robinson won't be participating in training camp yet. While he still has two seasons left on his rookie contract at a little more than $15 million in guaranteed money , he wants to be paid like one of the best running backs in the league. That means leaning on Atlanta ownership in hopes of a contract that would eclipse De'Von Achane's four-year, $64 million deal that made him the highest paid back in league history .
Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs and Falcons RB Bijan Robinson both are not practicing today. Both running backs have had conversations during the off-season about a potential long-term contract. pic.twitter.com/T4JjLsH6CY
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 29, 2026 Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, both Robinson and Detroit Lions star Jahmyr Gibbs are attending, but not participating in, preseason practices as they angle for big money extensions. That means the two guys likely to hold court at the top of fantasy drafts this summer may not see any reps until deep into the preseason.
Why should the Atlanta Falcons make Bijan Robinson the NFL's highest-paid running back?
This doesn't feel like a question of if, but when. Robinson and Gibbs will both reset the market this summer. Whomever does so last will hold the title of "most expensive running back" through the 2026 season and likely beyond.
While running backs have been one of the league's least valued positions in recent years, the return of the RB1 has put a spotlight on the backfield. Robinson is a pure example of that -- a player good enough to make a young 1,000-yard rusher on his own team a platoon back. Tyler Allgeier is now an Arizona Cardinal, and while Brian Robinson is a perfectly viable RB2, it helps highlight how important Robinson is to the team's future.
Atlanta was 6-1 last season when Robinson had at least 150 total yards. The Falcons were 2-8 otherwise. His emergence as a target helped take the pressure off a thin receiving corps that fell off dramatically after London and Kyle Pitts. He had at least two catches in every game, caught just under 80 percent of his passes and his 252 yards after contact over expected (YACOE) were the best in the NFL -- 57 more yards than second-place George Pickens. Robinson creates space and burns across the freeways he's designed, lifting up flawed quarterbacks and making his offense hum.
Atlanta will likely be in the market for a quarterback next offseason. That could be a pricy acquisition. It's also one that gets a lot easier when you can sell a passer on stacked boxes and a dominant running game. Inking Robinson to a massive extension would make life navigating the salary cap more difficult. It would make life on the field, however, significantly easier.
Can the Falcons afford a pricy Bijan Robinson extension?
They can't really afford not to do it. They've already extended London (four years, $141 million) and Pitts (three years, $53 million). Letting Robinson leave, either via free agency or a trade, would induce revolt from the team's fan base.
While Atlanta has room to maneuver, Robinson will only get more expensive. He's under contract at a modest price the next two seasons (his fifth year rookie contract option clocks in at $11.3 million), but the longer it takes to make a deal, the higher his demands will be. Locking him in now would get ahead of a Gibbs extension and allow him to set the market. Waiting until 2027 would not only allow the tailback and his team to create a new target, but also include whatever salary cap inflation awaits next spring to his tab.
Thus, the best case scenario is a market-defining contract that keeps everyone happy and ensures the Falcons are fun to watch in 2026 and not merely writing the next chapter of their ongoing tragedy.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Should Falcons be worried about Bijan Robinson's training camp hold-in?
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