Falcons Exercise Fifth-Year Option on Star RB Bijan Robinson

The 23-year-old led the NFL in scrimmage yards last season.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 11:11pm

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A cubist, geometric illustration depicting the powerful running style and impact of Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson, with overlapping planes and shapes representing his explosive movements and contributions to the team.Bijan Robinson's dynamic playmaking ability has made him a centerpiece of the Falcons' offense.Flowery Branch Today

The Atlanta Falcons have exercised the fifth-year option on running back Bijan Robinson, who is coming off a career year in 2025 where he led the NFL in scrimmage yards. The Falcons are expected to work on a long-term contract extension with Robinson this offseason, as both the team's head coach and general manager have praised him as a franchise player.

Why it matters

Bijan Robinson has emerged as one of the league's top offensive talents, and locking him up long-term is a priority for the Falcons as they look to build around their young star running back. Exercising the fifth-year option ensures Robinson will remain with the team through the 2027 season.

The details

The Falcons selected Robinson with the 8th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and he has since led the league in scrimmage yards (2,298) and finished 4th in rushing yards (1,478) in 2025. Atlanta picking up Robinson's fifth-year option was seen as a formality, as the two sides are expected to reach a contract extension this offseason.

  • The Falcons announced they exercised Bijan Robinson's fifth-year option on Friday, April 10, 2026.
  • Robinson is coming off a career year in 2025 where he led the NFL in scrimmage yards.

The players

Bijan Robinson

A 23-year-old running back who was selected 8th overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2023 NFL Draft. He led the NFL in scrimmage yards (2,298) and finished 4th in rushing yards (1,478) in 2025, earning his first All-Pro selection.

Kevin Stefanski

The head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, who has spoken highly of Bijan Robinson and views him as a franchise player.

Ian Cunningham

The general manager of the Atlanta Falcons, who has also praised Bijan Robinson as one of the best players at his position in the league.

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What they’re saying

“There's no shortage in what he can do for the football team on the field. But also the person that he is off the field and what he brings to our locker room and to the question earlier about culture and being a player-driven culture, he's a driver of that just because of how he attacks each day.”

— Kevin Stefanski, Head Coach, Atlanta Falcons

“He is one of the best players at his position, one of the best players in the league. I was excited that I had already had the chance to get to know him and start some dialogue with him.”

— Ian Cunningham, General Manager, Atlanta Falcons

“I'm going to leave that one to my agent and the guys upstairs, and we'll see where goes from there.”

— Bijan Robinson

What’s next

The Falcons and Bijan Robinson are expected to work on a long-term contract extension this offseason after the team exercised his fifth-year option.

The takeaway

Bijan Robinson has quickly established himself as one of the premier running backs in the NFL, and the Falcons are committed to keeping him as a centerpiece of their offense for the foreseeable future. His combination of on-field production and off-field leadership make him a valuable asset for Atlanta as they look to build a contender.