Why Trading Bijan Robinson Might Be the Falcons’ Toughest - and Smartest - Call Yet
Bijan Robinson just turned 24, and he’s already building a résumé that would make most NFL veterans jealous. In 2025, the Atlanta Falcons star running back led the entire league with 2,298 scrimmage yards, punched in 11 touchdowns, earned first-team All-Pro honors, and finished fourth in Offensive Player of the Year voting. That’s not just a good season - that’s elite territory.
Through three seasons, Robinson has racked up 5,648 total yards and 34 touchdowns. To put that in perspective, those are the kind of numbers some running backs finish with after a full career. He’s not just producing - he’s redefining what a modern RB1 can look like.
But here’s the problem: the Falcons haven’t figured out how to turn Robinson’s brilliance into wins. Despite his production, Atlanta has missed the playoffs every year of his career. The quarterback situation has been a revolving door of inconsistency, and the offense - while occasionally electric - hasn’t found the kind of identity that can sustain success in January.
And now, with a new front office and coaching staff in place, the Falcons might have to face a tough reality: it could be time to trade their All-Pro running back.
The Case for Moving On
At first glance, the idea of trading Bijan Robinson sounds absurd. Why would you move on from one of the league’s most dynamic weapons? But in today’s NFL, even the most talented players aren’t untouchable - especially when a team is staring down a rebuild.
Let’s start with the return. Robinson’s value is sky-high.
He’s not just a top-tier running back - he’s a game-changer, and he’s still on his rookie deal. That’s the kind of asset that could net Atlanta a first-round pick and more.
A first and a second? Very possible.
And that’s exactly the kind of draft capital this team needs.
Remember, the Falcons don’t have a first-round pick in the upcoming 2026 NFL Draft. That was dealt to the Rams under former GM Terry Fontenot, part of the package that brought in James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker in 2025. Those were solid additions, but the cost was steep - and now the new regime, led by GM Ian Cunningham, head coach Kevin Stefanski, and team president Matt Ryan, is left trying to build a future without a top pick.
Trading Robinson could help fix that.
A Roster in Flux
Atlanta’s roster faces more questions than answers heading into 2026. Several key players are set to hit free agency - Kyle Pitts, Leonard Floyd, Kaden Elliss, David Onyemata, Arnold Ebiketie, just to name a few. There’s no way the Falcons can keep everyone, and with limited draft capital, replenishing that talent becomes even harder.
Then there’s the quarterback situation. Michael Penix Jr., the team’s hopeful future under center, is once again dealing with an ACL injury - his third.
His durability was a concern coming into the league, and unfortunately, it’s become a real issue. That uncertainty under center makes it even harder to justify going all-in on a win-now roster built around a star running back.
The NFC South may still be one of the weaker divisions in football, but the Falcons haven’t done much to separate themselves from the pack. Without a clear direction at quarterback and with key contributors potentially walking out the door, Atlanta doesn’t look like a team ready to contend in 2026.
A Strategic Reset - Not a Tear-Down
Trading Robinson wouldn’t be about giving up. It would be about resetting - or “retooling,” if that sounds a little easier to stomach.
The reality is that building around a running back, no matter how talented, is a risky long-term strategy in the modern NFL. Teams have become increasingly hesitant to invest heavily at the position, and for good reason: the shelf life is short, and the return on investment isn’t always there.
Robinson is the exception, not the rule. But that’s exactly why his value is so high right now. If the Falcons want to get serious about building a sustainable contender, they have to consider all options - even the painful ones.
This wouldn’t just be a blockbuster move. It would be a franchise-altering decision. But for a team stuck in neutral, it might be the bold step Atlanta needs to finally shift into gear.