By: Malik Jackson
The Atlanta Falcons have been on a carousel all season long, currently sitting with a record of 6-9. One week an impressive win, the next week the team doesn’t look the same, even when losses are close. That inconsistency has defined the year.
The brightest spot for the team over the past couple of years has been the very stout offensive line and running back cores. That was reflected this week when star running back Bijan Robinson and offensive tackle Chris Lindstrom were once again named to the Pro Bowl.
The honor comes after another monster performance from Robinson who continues to lead the NFL in scrimmage yards and is turning heads as one of the best running backs in the league. His brilliance with making defenders miss stands out as well as his all-around play including being a blocking back.
Earlier this season against his hometown Arizona Cardinals, Robinson became the third Atlanta Falcon player ever to eclipse 2,000 scrimmage yards in a season with 168 all-purpose yards and a touchdown in the 26-19 win.
“It truly meant a lot to me to do that in Arizona, in front of the people who supported me as a kid,” Robinson said. “It was a huge moment, not only for me but everyone who was watching.”
Robinson is only 150 yards away from breaking the Falcons’ all-time single season record for scrimmage yards, which was set by William Andrews back in 1983. He is also behind Christian McCaffrey (5,443) and Barry Sanders (5,391) for most scrimmage yards in NFL history before turning the age of 24.
With two more games left in the season to hit these milestones in front of the Atlanta crowd, fans should be in for a treat. When asked about Robsinon’s prowess and impact onthe team, head coach Raheem Morris stated:
“I’ve got a lot of love for that guy, what he brings to football team, not just as a player but a human. Amazing guy with a special heart.”
When a team drafts a running back as high as the Falcons did, it reflects both a major investment and a belief that the player will make a meaningful impact right away or as part of a longer process. This also holds true in the case of drafting tight end Kyle Pitts out of Florida fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Pitts has faced his fair share of criticism for not producing as much as fans want but this season has looked completely different from the past two years. Not only is Pitts having a stellar year statistically but he’s been available. In a season where starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and wideout Drake London got injured, Pitts and Robinson have taken on the offensive load for the team.
That brings up several questions heading into the offseason. Will the Falcons offer the highly talented tight end a contract at the end of the season or in the offseason? Will they trade away Kirk Cousins and what will the quarterback look like for next season? Will there be coaching changes?
With no first-round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Falcons did cash in with the addition of rookies Jalon Walker and James Pierce Jr. who they traded up for in last year’s draft. Both had phenomenal campaigns and set rookie records for the franchise.
These contributions help soften the impact of limited draft capital, but they also heighten the importance of the decisions ahead. At 6-9, the Falcons are eliminated from playoff contention for the eighth-straight season. With key contract decisions and uncertainty at quarterback, this offseason may prove to be one of the most important for the franchise in recent years.