Falcons exercise fifth-year option on star Bijan Robinson

Desmond Ridder #9 of the Atlanta Falcons passes the ball off to Bijan Robinson #7 of the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter.

Bijan Robinson is now locked up for the short term as he and the Falcons try to work something out for the long term.

Atlanta exercised its fifth-year option for Robinson on Friday, the team announced.

Robinson, whom the Falcons selected with the No. 8 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has emerged as one of the league's top offensive talents, earning his first All-Pro team selection following a career year in 2025.

Bijan Robinson (7) has rushed for over 1,400 yards in back-to-back seasons. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

The 23-year-old led the entire NFL in scrimmage yards (2,298) this past season, and was fourth in rushing yards (1,478), along with seven rushing touchdowns through 17 games.

Atlanta picking up Robinson's option was simply a formality, as the two parties are expected to reach a deal for a contract extension this offseason, ESPN reported last month.

Both Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Ian Cunningham have spoken highly of Robinson this offseason, indicating that they view him as a franchise player.

There's no shortage in what he can do for the football team on the field," Stefanski told reporters during the Falcons' voluntary offseason workouts earlier this week. 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."

Bijan Robinson speaks during Falcons NFL media availability,Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Flowery Branch, Ga. AP

During NFL league meetings, Cunningham insisted that Robinson is one of the best running backs in the league.

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

When asked about a future contract extension, however, Robinson said that it was not currently on his mind.

I'm going to leave that one to my agent and the guys upstairs, and we'll see where goes from there," Robinson told reporters.