Atlanta Falcons agree deal to make Bijan Robinson highest paid running back in NFL history

by | Aug 4, 2026 | Sports

Atlanta Falcons agree deal to make Bijan Robinson highest paid running back in NFL history

The Atlanta Falcons agreed to a contract extension with running back Bijan Robinson that establishes new financial benchmarks for the position. The deal runs through the 2030 season and is valued at up to $75 million, with $51 million guaranteed, according to Spotrac.com. Robinson will need to achieve multiple incentive benchmarks to reach the full $75 million value.

The guaranteed portion represents a record for a running back. The base three-year agreement is worth $66.75 million, providing Robinson an annual salary of $22.25 million. This surpasses the previous high mark of $20.6 million per year earned by Saquon Barkley with the Philadelphia Eagles. Robinson, 24 years old, reposted the announcement on social media and expressed appreciation for the organization and city.

The extension reflects the Falcons’ strategy of securing key offensive contributors. Earlier in the offseason, the team extended left guard Matthew Bergeron to a four-year deal and reached agreements with wide receiver Drake London and tight end Kyle Pitts. Robinson had been absent from training camp participation during what appeared to be a contract negotiation, though he attended practices without taking part in on-field drills. The deal came ahead of the regular season beginning September 10.

Robinson’s performance last season established his value in negotiations. He led the NFL with 2,298 yards from scrimmage and recorded 11 touchdowns. A panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers ranked him the league’s top running back in a preseason poll. During the previous season, Robinson accumulated 1,478 rushing yards and 820 receiving yards, placing him in rare company—Steven Jackson in 2006 is the only other player to record at least 1,400 rushing yards and 800 receiving yards in a single season. Robinson has been central to the Falcons’ ground game since being selected with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

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