PHOENIX — Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham has had a lot on his plate the last few weeks, what with free agency meetings and signings, pro days to travel to, draft meetings to prep and plan for. Still, even with his eyes firmly set in the here and now of 2026, his mind is constantly cranking through what's to come.
That includes what's next for Bijan Robinson.
Cunningham had the chance to officially meet Robinson in person when the running back was at the facility a couple of weeks ago between all of his appearances and travels.
"He is one of the best players at his position, one of the best players in the league," Cunningham said at NFL League Meetings this week. "I was excited that I had already had the chance to get to know him and start some dialogue with him."
Robinson is coming off one of the best years for a running back in the history of the league. He sits atop a few Falcons franchise records. Personally, he's the face of ad campaigns for various brands. He's DJing at NFL Honors. Traveling across the globe. Doing some acting on the side.
He's a man of many talents and interests, nearly all he has watered significantly through 2025 to foster growth, making him a household name in 2026. Cunningham knows he's got something special with Robinson.
That's why the future of Robinson — as well as receiver Drake London — is something top of mind for the general manager.
Robinson is one year behind London, which means he's eligible to have his fifth-year option picked up before the deadline on May 1. Experts agree, it's a no-brainer to exercise that option.
For Robinson's trajectory, though, it is probably better to think beyond just a fifth-year option. In fact, that's where everyone's mind is already going.
"Take a look at the running backs right now, Bijan Robinson is going to cash in. Jahmyr Gibbs is going to cash in. De'Von Achane is going to cash in," ESPN's Adam Schefter said on his podcast last week. "There are going to be some big running back deals that get done at some point this offseason. So while we've already seen one big wide receiver deal, get ready for the parade of running backs, because that's what's coming next."
Cunningham said that both London's and Robinson's futures are topics the organization will attack once they are through the 2026 NFL Draft. And even if the first domino to fall is a fifth-year option for Robinson, that doesn't mean an extension wouldn't, or couldn't, be on its heels, as Schefter alluded to.
League rules dictate a player on a rookie deal can agree to a contract extension at any point following the conclusion of their third year. That's the window Robinson is in right now (as well as London, too, but we've already touched on him).
Though Cunningham didn't give too much by way of timing beyond post-draft discussions exploring what the future could hold for someone like Robinson, he had no hesitation in confirming why Robinson — and potentially locking him in long-term — makes a lot of sense for the organization.
"It's helpful when one of your best players is one of your best people, too," Cunningham concluded.
