Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson is already viewed as one of the most important pieces of the franchise’s future — and the team is beginning to make moves to reflect that.
According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the Falcons have exercised the fifth-year option on Robinson, keeping the All-Pro under team control through the 2027 season. He will earn $11.3 million in 2027, according to Spotrac.
However, this move may only be the beginning.
Jones added that the decision is widely viewed as a placeholder, with expectations that Atlanta and Robinson will work toward a long-term extension before the start of the season.
That approach aligns with Robinson’s rapid rise since entering the league.
The former No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has quickly developed into one of the NFL’s most dynamic offensive weapons, showcasing elite vision, explosiveness and versatility as both a runner and receiver.
For a Falcons team undergoing major changes this offseason, securing a foundational talent like Robinson is a clear priority. He remains central to the team’s offensive identity and a key building block moving forward.
Now, with the option exercised, attention shifts toward what kind of long-term deal Robinson will be looking for, and if the Falcons can afford it.
Falcons Signaling Bigger Plan With Bijan Robinson
While fifth-year options are standard for first-round picks, this situation carries a different tone.
The Falcons aren’t just buying time — they’re signaling intent.
Robinson is coming off a historic season, leading the NFL with 2,298 scrimmage yards while setting a franchise record in the process.
According to Falcons team reporter Will McFadden, Robinson’s production came on 366 touches, averaging 6.3 yards per touch — a mark tied with O. J. Simpson’s 1975 season and Marshall Faulk’s 2001 campaign as the fifth-best in league history among players with at least 2,000 scrimmage yards.
For a team undergoing major changes this offseason, locking in a bonafide star like Robinson gives Atlanta a centerpiece for their offense to build around.
Bijan Robinson Could Reset Running Back Market
If a long-term extension does come together, Robinson may not just get paid — he could help reshape the position’s value across the league.
Adam Schefter previously pointed to Robinson as one of several running backs expected to cash in as the market shifts.
“To me, the group that I was watching going into the offseason was not wide receiver… but running back,” Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show. “Bijan Robinson — going to cash in… There are going to be some huge running back deals that get done at some point this offseason.”
Robinson’s dual-threat ability plays a major role in that projection. His impact as a receiver out of the backfield adds another layer to his value, even as the running back market has historically lagged behind other positions.
Still, players like Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey have helped shift that narrative in recent years — and Robinson may be next in line.
For now, the Falcons have taken a key step by locking in his short-term future.
But all signs point to something much bigger on the horizon.
Falcons Make Bijan Robinson $11 Million Decision