Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson. Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Falcons should show record-breaking RB Bijan Robinson the money after 2025 season

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Dec 30, 2025 5:11 PM ET

Teams have refrained from paying running backs in recent years, but few were on the same tier as Atlanta Falcons star Bijan Robinson.

Robinson, the eighth pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, is in the third year of his rookie contract and will be eligible for an extension after the 2025 season. Spotrac estimates his market value is a three-year deal worth $18.4M annually, but he could command even more after making two straight Pro Bowls.

His contract includes a fifth-year option, which Atlanta must exercise before the deadline on May 1. The Falcons, however, should avoid a long-winded negotiation process and cough up the money. The former Texas Longhorns star, who has yet to miss a game in his NFL career, could clearly help the team end its eight-year playoff drought.

Why Bijan Robinson deserves a contract extension

Robinson, who turns 24 on Jan. 30, may be the best RB in the NFL. He showed why in a 27-24 upset over the Los Angeles Rams on "Monday Night Football."

Robinson recorded 229 yards (195 rushing and 34 receiving) and two touchdowns (one rushing and one receiving) in the win over the Rams. He ran for a 93-yard TD in the second quarter, the longest of his career.

BIJAN ROBINSON 93 YARDS!

LARvsATL on ESPN/ABC
Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App pic.twitter.com/OTqGarUX9F
— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2025

Robinson now has 5,605 yards from scrimmage (3,877 rushing and 1,728 receiving) in three seasons with the Falcons. According to Pro Football Talk's Josh Alper, that's the most any player in league history has amassed before turning 24. That has Falcons head coach Raheem Morris heaping even more praise onto his star RB.

"I said this 18 weeks ago: He's the best player in football," the coach said following the win over the Rams. "I mean, it's just as simple as that. He's unbelievable. Everything he does for our football team, from running the football to catching the football to protection to being a leader. He's also our chaplain. He does it all."

Most would consider a quarterback to be the best player in the NFL, perhaps Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs), Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills) or even Drake Maye (New England Patriots). But Robinson is the best player on the Falcons, so they should do whatever it takes to keep the rare talent. That includes finding a way to pay him.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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