Bijan Robinson Trying to Elevate His Game ‘In All Aspects’ After All-Pro Year

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson wants to elevate his game even higher this upcoming season.

Robinson had nearly 2,300 all-purpose yards last season and was a finalist for Offensive Player of the Year. He wants to improve on all aspects of his game going into his fourth season. With a new head coach and new teammates, Robinson will have the opportunity to do so in the offseason.

“Like I say every year, I’m just trying to be better than the last year, in all aspects of my game: my leadership, my faith, everything,” he said at an April 8 news conference after the Falcons’ offseason program.

“I’m just trying to be a lot better than I was the year before. Even when it comes to my goals on the field, off the field—last year was a cool year, but I think this year, I want to be even better in all aspects of that. … When it comes down to it, if I just stick to the goal that I have, one day at a time, then everything else will pan out.”

Last season was Robinson’s best. He rushed 287 times for 1,478 yards and 7 touchdowns; he leapt to a new level as a receiver, with 79 receptions for 820 yards and 4 TDs. He was named to the Pro Bowl for the second time in his career and earned a First Team All-Pro selection as a running back and a Second Team nod as an all-purpose player.

One of the things Robinson did to improve was to work on his recovery. Robinson has been working out with San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey and following McCaffrey’s recovery regimen.

“His regimen has been really, really good for me, especially last year, and what I did throughout the season. It was a blessing that I stayed healthy throughout the whole season. And even when the season was over, I felt great to play even more,” Robinson said.

“So I’m going do the same thing this year. And we have a great plan with [Director of Player Performance John Griffin] and the guys over there, the training staff, and they’ve had a plan for me since I’ve been here. So just sticking with it, maybe tweak some things, but I feel great.”

The other thing Robinson will have to work on in the offseason is learning a new playbook.

The Falcons hired Kevin Stefanski as their new head coach in January. Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees will be the third offensive staff he has played under in four seasons.

Besides learning his responsibilities as a runner, receiver, and in pass protection, Robinson wants to pay closer attention to detail.

“I’m trying to better myself in all aspects of how I am with my attention to detail when it comes to route running, when it comes to [continuing] to better myself with learning the first, second, third level of the run game, and continue to become an elite in that aspect,” he said.

“Even ball security, little things like ball security, I think I had three or four fumbles last year, and that’s not good enough. The year before that, I had zero. So obviously I have to do something to better myself there, because when I take care of that, then I think everything else will take care of itself.”

He will also have some new backfield mates. Tyler Allegier left for the Arizona Cardinals in free agency. The Falcons then signed Brian Robinson Jr. from the 49ers and Tyler Goodson from the Indianapolis Colts. The Falcons also have 2023 undrafted free agent Nathan Carter and 2025 UDFA Carlos Washington Jr. on the depth chart.

Bijan said he has already gotten to know Brian and looks forward to forming another 1-2 punch with him.

“When you have another guy that carry the load too, it always helps you out,” he said. “That’s why I appreciate Tyler so much, and how we just became that 1-2, and then now me and B-Rob becoming the 1-2, it’s going to be pretty elite.”