The Atlanta Falcons and 2x Pro Bowl running back Bijan Robinson have come to terms on a new 3 year, $66.75M extension which will make him the highest paid RB in NFL history. If all incentives are hit, the deal could be worth as much as $75M.
The deal ends the “hold in” between the all-world back and the club at training camp and allows him to get back to full roster activities with his teammates. As part of the contract, Robinson will receive $51M in guaranteed money and will be tied to the franchise through the 2030 season. It will also feature a $37M signing bonus that will be paid out up front.
Robinson now surpasses Saquon Barkley for highest paid running back in terms of average annual value after leading the NFL in scrimmage yards (2,298) last season. The 24 year old is the latest Falcons player to receive a long term deal joining Drake London ($141M), Kyle Pitts Sr. ($54M), and Matthew Bergeron ($96M) in the list of core pieces the team has extended this offseason.
Originally drafted 8th overall by Atlanta in 2023, Robinson has appeared in all 17 games for the Falcons each season since his rookie campaign, amassing 3,910 yards on the ground, 1,738 yards through the air, and 34 total TDs during that span. He’s now been named to back to back Pro Bowls, and earned 1st team All-Pro honours for his efforts in 2025.
Perhaps the scariest part of all of that (at least for opposing defences) is the fact that Robinson has arguably been “eased” into things in Atlanta, regularly splitting carries with Tyler Allgeier. However, with Allgeier joining the Arizona Cardinals in the offseason, Robinson could be in for his most explosive season to date.
Veteran running back Brian Robinson was brought in as a back up, while the club also features Tyler Goodson, Nathan Carter, and Cash Jones as depth pieces. Brian Robinson can fill in for a few touches per game, but has seen his production steadily decline over the last 3 seasons, leaving little question as to who the workhorse back will be in Atlanta.
With Kevin Stefanski taking over head coaching duties as well, the Falcons figure to undergo a shift in offensive philosophy as well. The former Browns head coach has previously shown a penchant for establishing a clear pecking order in terms of his running backs, which should also bode well for Bijan’s offensive ceiling in 2026.
Atlanta will open the preseason with games against the Broncos, Colts, and Dolphins, before kicking things off officially on September 13th against the Pittsburgh Steelers in their season opener.
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