Just 1 year after he was traded by the Washington Commanders and just 2 years after he was projected to become 1 of the NFL’s highest-paid running backs, Brian Robinson Jr. is headed to the Atlanta Falcons in a backup role.
Robinson reportedly agreed to a free-agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday after spending the 2025 season with the San Francisco 49ers.
“Sources: The Falcons are expected to sign former 49ers RB Brian Robinson Jr.,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz wrote on his official X account. “Robinson has over 2,700 yards rushing, 612 yards receiving and 22 total TDs in four NFL seasons … With Tyler Allgeier signing in Arizona, Brian Robinson Jr. fills an essential spot in the Falcons’ backfield alongside Bijan Robinson.
According to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, Robinson’s new deal with the Falcons is a 1-year, $2.5 million contract.
In Atlanta, Robinson will be the backup to NFL All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson — a move sure to confuse fantasy football leagues around the world.
“How many people will draft the wrong B. Robinson in fantasy football this year?” Blogging Dirty wrote on X after news of the signing broke.
“Someone is going to need a Bijan TD to win a fantasy game this year and see ‘B. Robinson’ score and not realize for hours that they didn’t win,” King of Phinland wrote on its official X account.
Robinson Could Have ‘Reset Market’ After 2023
After Robinson put up 1,101 yards of total offense and 9 touchdowns in 2023, there was some thought the 6-foot-1, 225-pounder might land a massive deal with his 1st contract extension.
Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti listed Robinson among his list of NFL running backs who could potentially reset the market following the 2024 season.
“James Conner, Najee Harris, Aaron Jones, & JK Dobbins lead the pending free agent class, while Kyren Williams, Brian Robinson, & Kenneth Walker can be considered early extension candidates,” Ginnitti wrote in November 2024.
Robinson was a 3rd round pick by the Commanders (No. 98 overall) out of Alabama in the 2022 NFL draft and has proven himself to be one of the NFL’s most versatile — and toughest — running backs in his first 3 seasons.
Robinson’s Path to NFL Stardom Took Detour
Robinson won 2 College Football Playoff national championships at Alabama as part of a stacked running backs room with future NFL stars Najee Harris and Josh Jacobs. When Robinson finally got his chance as the featured running back in 2021, he turned in an All-SEC season with 1,343 rushing yards and 7 total touchdowns.
Robinson’s NFL career almost didn’t get started when he was shot in the knee and the glute during an armed robbery attempt on August 28, 2022, but suffered no major structural damage. He missed the team’s first 4 games before returning to rush for 797 yards and score 3 total touchdowns in 12 games.
In 2023, Robinson showed he could be elite, but did so on 1 of the NFL’s worst teams as the Commanders went 4-13 — he also had a career-high 4 fumbles that season.
Injuries continued to be an issue in 2024 as he missed 3 games and saw his numbers drop to 958 yards of total offense but still scored 8 touchdowns. In 2025 with the 49ers backing up Christian McCaffrey, Robinson had just 425 yards of total offense and 2 touchdowns in 17 games.
Former Commanders 1,100-Yard RB Signs With NFC Rival