Bijan Robinson and Christian McCaffrey are built for the same kind of job, and Robinson got a firsthand look at how the 49ers star handles it.
The Falcons running back spent a month working out with McCaffrey in California during the summer of 2025, and that stretch left Robinson with a clear impression of how the San Francisco back approaches his craft. Robinson described McCaffrey as “very detailed in his work ethic and probably how he goes about his business,” and added, “He's the ultimate competitor. You see he likes to be in the game as much as possible to make an impact as much as possible,” Robinson said to Terrin Waack.
That appreciation comes with Sunday’s matchup in mind. Atlanta is set to face the undefeated 49ers, giving Robinson a chance to line up against a player he spent time around this offseason and to measure himself against a fellow centerpiece back.
Robinson’s own role in Atlanta has already become clear. He’s the focal point of the Falcons’ offense, and he doesn’t hide from that kind of load. When talking about how he plays Madden, Robinson made it plain where his mindset comes from.
"I play Madden how I would run the football in real life," Robinson said. "And people don't like playing Madden against me just because I'm gonna run it like 50 times. But it's just, you just can't stop it in the game."
His production through six games in the 2026 season backs up that approach. Robinson has 111 carries for 641 rushing yards, good for 5.8 yards per attempt, and he’s added 20 receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown.
That dual-threat profile is what makes him so valuable to Atlanta. He can hammer defenses between the tackles, turn a routine play into something bigger on the edge or work as a receiver when the Falcons want to spread things out. That versatility keeps him at the center of what Atlanta wants to do.
McCaffrey is doing something very similar in San Francisco. The 49ers rely on him as both a runner and a pass catcher, and his numbers through six games in 2026 reflect that usage. He has 77 carries for 350 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns, along with 28 catches for 190 yards.
Robinson has piled up more rushing yards, while McCaffrey has been the more frequent finisher in the end zone. Both backs are major problems for defenses because they can hurt a team in multiple ways without needing a specific script to do it.
For Robinson, the time with McCaffrey also offered a look at the habits behind the production. He pointed to the 49ers star’s recovery routine and the way he takes care of his body, a detail that matters for players expected to absorb heavy volume over a long season.
That kind of preparation will matter again on Sunday. Atlanta will need Robinson to be productive against a San Francisco team that has not lost this year, and getting him involved as both a runner and a receiver could help the Falcons control the pace.
Robinson knows the assignment.
"We have to match the urgency and we have to, for one play at a time, play at the highest level," Robinson said.
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Falcons Fans Suddenly Have A Jessie Bates Trade Deadline Worry
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Against that backdrop, one of the more jarring names to surface in deadline conversation is Jessie Bates III. The Pro Bowl safety has been a cornerstone for Atlanta, but his status has suddenly become part of the bigger question around the teams direction if the losses keep piling up and playoff hopes fade. Because he is under contract through 2026, any move involving Bates would also force the Falcons to weigh whether they can realistically line up an extension before deciding what comes next. [Read more 🡒]