The Atlanta Falcons are staring down a critical fork in the road - and at the heart of it are two of their brightest young stars: Drake London and Bijan Robinson. Both have proven they’re not just foundational pieces for Atlanta’s offense, but potential cornerstones for the franchise.
The challenge? The NFL’s salary cap reality doesn’t always play nice with dreams of keeping every star in-house.
Let’s start with Drake London, who has taken a major leap in 2025. The 24-year-old wideout has delivered the kind of production that turns heads across the league.
Over a six-game stretch, London racked up five 100-yard games and six touchdowns - a run of dominance matched only by Jaxon Smith-Njigba this season. He’s not just putting up numbers; he’s putting himself in the conversation as one of the league’s most dangerous receivers.
London is under contract through the 2026 season, which gives the Falcons a bit of breathing room before free agency becomes a factor. But make no mistake - that clock is ticking.
Then there’s Bijan Robinson, who continues to do things out of the backfield that most running backs simply can't. Through 15 games, Robinson has piled up 2,000 all-purpose yards - a staggering total that speaks to his versatility and workload.
And here’s the kicker: he’s third on the team in receiving yards. As a running back.
That’s not just impressive, it’s rare.
Robinson’s rookie deal includes a fifth-year option, which would keep him in Atlanta through 2027. So in theory, the Falcons have time. But in practice, elite running backs don’t stay elite forever, and locking in Robinson sooner rather than later could be the smarter long-term play.
The Dilemma: Pay Both? Or Choose One?
Here’s where things get complicated. Ideally, the Falcons would lock up both London and Robinson to long-term deals.
But the salary cap, as always, looms large. This isn’t Madden - you can’t just sign every superstar and hope it works out.
There’s also a growing sentiment in front offices around the league: You don’t win championships by paying big money to wide receivers and running backs. It’s a philosophy rooted in positional value, and recent Super Bowl winners offer arguments on both sides.
The 2025 Eagles won it all with high-priced stars like Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown leading the charge - proof that investing in elite skill players can pay off. But go back a year, and you’ll find the 2023-24 Chiefs, who got it done with a patchwork group of receivers and backs, relying instead on a transcendent quarterback and a rock-solid defense.
So what does that mean for Atlanta?
Well, it starts with understanding the economics of the two positions. Running backs, despite their importance, are generally cheaper.
Saquon Barkley’s $20 million per year deal is currently the top of the market. Wide receivers, on the other hand, are cashing in at unprecedented rates - Ja’Marr Chase leads the pack with a $40 million annual salary.
That’s double the price tag for a position that, while valuable, is also deep in talent across the league.
And that’s the other wrinkle: wide receiver depth. Every draft class seems to bring in another wave of high-upside receivers.
If a team hits on one or two, they’ve got cost-controlled production for years. That’s not to say you can just replace a guy like London - players with his size, route-running, and catch radius don’t grow on trees - but the position is more replaceable than it used to be.
Running backs? Not so much. Especially not ones like Robinson.
Why Bijan Might Be the Priority
If the Falcons are forced to prioritize, Robinson might be the guy to keep. Yes, the shelf life for running backs is shorter.
Yes, offenses aren’t built around them in 2025 like they were a decade ago. But Robinson is a different breed.
He’s not just a runner - he’s a weapon. He lines up in the slot, catches passes like a receiver, and has the vision and burst to flip the field on any play.
A short-term extension - say, two to three years - could allow Atlanta to maximize his prime without tying up long-term money. It’s a move that could keep the offense dynamic while giving the front office flexibility.
That’s not to say London should be left out in the cold. Far from it.
He’s earned his place as a top-tier receiver, and if the Falcons can find a way to make the numbers work, keeping both stars is the dream scenario. But if it comes down to one or the other, positional value, contract structure, and long-term team-building strategy might tilt the scales toward Robinson.
Bottom Line
The Falcons are building something - and London and Robinson are at the center of it. But the NFL is a business as much as it’s a game. The tough decisions are coming, and how Atlanta navigates this next phase will say a lot about their vision for the future.
Do you pay the elite receiver who could anchor your passing game for the next five years? Or do you lock in the do-it-all back who’s already redefining what the position can be?
In a perfect world, you keep both. But in the real world? The Falcons might have to choose.