Bijan Robinson Stands Alone Among Running Backs in Primetime

Bijan Robinson has posted the highest scrimmage yards per game in primetime among running backs with at least five appearances since the 1970 merger. His mark of 145.4 yards across 11 games tops the list, ahead of Barry Sanders at 126.3 in 20 games, O.J. Simpson at 123 in six games and Jonathan Taylor at 121.8 in 12 games.

Recent Production

He leads the league with 467 yards from scrimmage and ranks second in rushing with 349 yards. In his past four primetime outings he has averaged 213.8 scrimmage yards. Since entering the league in 2023 he has averaged more than 20 additional scrimmage yards per primetime game than any other running back, including Derrick Henry at 123.9 and Saquon Barkley at 119.5.

Contract and Background

The Falcons signed Robinson to a three-year extension worth a base of 66.75 million dollars, or 22.3 million per season, with the total package reaching as high as 75 million. That briefly made him the highest-paid running back before Jahmyr Gibbs reached 22.5 million per year. Robinson earned Gatorade Player of the Year honors as a senior at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson in 2019.

Mindset

Atlanta's coaching staff highlights Robinson's high school performances during Friday meetings. The running back has said his approach stays the same whether the game kicks off at 1 p.m. or later in primetime.