Bijan Robinson Is a Star Hiding in Plain Sight - And the Falcons Need to Wake Up
Let’s talk about Bijan Robinson - because not enough people are.
Yes, the Falcons are 4-8, and yes, the offense has been a rollercoaster ride with more dips than climbs. But if you’re watching closely, you know that Robinson is quietly putting together one of the most impressive seasons by a running back in the NFL.
He’s not just good - he’s elite. And the fact that he’s not being talked about in the same breath as Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, or even Jahmyr Gibbs has more to do with Atlanta’s record than his performance.
A Dual-Threat Dynamo
Week 13 against the Jets was a perfect snapshot of what Bijan brings to the table. He racked up 142 rushing yards and a touchdown on 23 carries, then added another 51 yards through the air on five catches.
That’s 193 total yards - against a Jets defense that doesn’t exactly hand those out like candy. And he did it without Drake London in the lineup, making it clear that he’s not just a complementary piece - he is the engine of this offense.
At just 23 years old, Robinson is already one of the most dangerous dual-threat backs in the league. His vision, burst, and balance are elite, and his ability to catch passes out of the backfield gives Atlanta a weapon most teams would build their offense around. But here’s the problem: the Falcons aren’t doing that.
Underused and Undervalued
Despite ranking second in the NFL in scrimmage yards through 13 weeks - trailing only McCaffrey - Robinson has been oddly underutilized. He’s topped 20 carries just three times all season, and two of those came in the last three games.
It’s baffling. The offense clearly runs better when he’s heavily involved, yet for some reason, the game plan doesn’t consistently reflect that.
Dan Orlovsky said it plainly: the Falcons are holding Bijan back. And it’s hard to argue otherwise.
Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, head coach Raheem Morris, and GM Terry Fontenot are all under pressure - and for good reason. Atlanta’s offense has been frustratingly inconsistent, and outside of Robinson and London, there haven’t been many bright spots. But when you have a generational talent in your backfield, the solution isn’t complicated: feed him the ball.
A Security Blanket for Cousins
Since Kirk Cousins returned to the starting lineup, Robinson has become his go-to guy - not just on the ground, but as a check-down option in the passing game. That’s not by accident. Bijan is Atlanta’s second-leading receiver, which says as much about his versatility as it does about the inconsistency of guys like Darnell Mooney and Kyle Pitts.
And yet, despite being one of the few constants on this offense, Robinson still isn’t being used like the weapon he is. Whether it’s play-calling, game script, or just a lack of urgency, the Falcons are missing a golden opportunity to ride their most dynamic player.
The Bottom Line
This isn’t just about stats. It’s about impact.
Bijan Robinson is doing everything you could ask of a top-tier running back - running between the tackles, catching passes, creating explosive plays, and staying consistent in an offense that’s anything but. The fact that he’s flying under the radar is a direct result of how Atlanta is managing him - or mismanaging him, depending on how you look at it.
If the Falcons want to turn things around - not just this season, but long-term - it starts with recognizing what they have in Bijan Robinson. He’s not just another piece.
He’s the foundation. And it’s time they start treating him like it.