Earlier this week, Atlanta locked in Bijan Robinson with a 3-year extension worth up to $75 million.
Robinson, London, and Pitts Are the Foundation
Every successful NFL team eventually reaches the same challenges. Drafting stars and keeping them together can prove difficult, yet the Falcons have now accomplished both.
Across his career, Robinson has shown efficiency, dual-threat versatility and durability. He posted back-to-back 1,400-yard rushing seasons and emerged as a complete threat in the aerial game. That’s more than enough justification for the Falcons to set records for his extension.
Robinson’s impact cannot be discussed without mentioning Pitts and London. London has developed into one of the league’s best possession receivers. Pitts, after years of inconsistent quarterback play and injuries, remains one of the NFL’s most physically gifted tight ends and a matchup nightmare when healthy.
Individually, each player is worth building around:
Drake London (Wide Receiver)
London is the clear WR1 and primary downfield target.
In June 2026, the Falcons signed him to a four-year, $141 million extension. Through 2025, he had recorded 309 receptions for 3,961 yards and 22 touchdowns. Despite inconsistent quarterback play and some missed time in 2025 (68 catches, 919 yards, 7 TDs in 12 games), he has consistently ranked among the most productive receivers in the NFL.
Kyle Pitts (Tight End)
Pitts, the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history, signed a three-year extension worth about $54 million.
After an inconsistent start to his career, he delivered a strong 2025 season with 88 receptions, 928 yards, and a career-high five touchdowns, ranking near the top of the position in production. At 6-foot-6 with elite athleticism, he creates matchup problems as both a traditional tight end or when split out wide.
Importance of the Trio
Together they give the Falcons one of the most talented young skill-position groups in the league. ESPN ranked them among the top handful of playmaking trios after their collective 2025 production.
The new front office led by Matt Ryan, general manager Ian Cunningham, and coach Kevin Stefanski has prioritized locking all three up, committing hundreds of millions of dollars to keep the core intact.
The Quarterback Problem Threatens Everything
There’s a reason some fans remain skeptical, as skill positions alone don’t win championships. The Falcons can lock up Robinson, London and Pitts for the next five seasons, but if the quarterback situation doesn’t improve, none of those players can reach their full potential.
The Falcons tried to fix the position in 2024. Atlanta signed Kirk Cousins to a massive four-year, roughly $180 million contract shortly after he recovered from a torn Achilles. Weeks later, the Falcons shocked many by selecting Michael Penix Jr. eighth overall in the draft.
Cousins started most of the year but never fully regained his pre-injury form. He was eventually benched late in the season in favor of Penix, who showed some moments in limited play.
Penix entered 2025 as the starter. He had mixed results, completing under 60 percent of his passes in his career starts, and ranking poorly in bad-throw percentage. His season ended with a torn ACL (his third major injury when including college), after which Cousins returned. The team finished 8-9, and the disappointing results led to the firings of head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot.
Heading into 2026 under a new staff, the Falcons released Cousins and signed Tua Tagovailoa to a short-term deal. Penix continues recovering from his latest ACL tear and has faced delays in returning to full 11-on-11 work, while Tagovailoa has dealt with back tightness.
This has created competition at the bottom of the depth chart, leading to moves such as signing Cooper Rush. Analysts have frequently ranked the Falcons’ quarterback room among the league’s worst.
The Falcons Have Their Core — Now They Need a Quarterback
Bijan Robinson’s extension may be the final step in the long-term franchise plan. The Falcons have identified the three players they believe will define the next era of their offense and made sure all three remain in Atlanta.
The quarterback must elevate one of the league’s most talented offensive trios into one of its most dangerous offenses. For the first time in years, the Falcons know exactly who they want to build around, and now they have to prove they built around the right players.
Success will be considered only if the Falcons win the division and make a respectable playoff run. The offensive trio is once-in-a-generation talent, and the Falcons need to realize their potential.
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