Tyler Allgeier left Atlanta for Arizona on Day 1 of free agency; the Falcons look to have landed a replacement. Brian Robinson is expected to sign with the team, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz tweets.
The former Commanders starter, who spent last season as Christian McCaffrey‘s backup, looks set to step into Allgeier’s former Bijan Robinson complementary role. Brian Robinson agreed to a one-year, $2.5MM deal, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport adds.
In a move that will undoubtedly open the door to some auction-draft chicanery in the fantasy realm, Atlanta assembling a two-Robinson backfield will pair two three-year starters together. Brian Robinson operated as the Commanders’ primary running back from 2022-24, finishing that run as the primary ballcarrier for Washington’s NFC championship game-qualifying edition. The Commanders, however, traded the former third-round pick to the 49ers for a sixth-rounder last August.
A between-the-tacklers grinder, Robinson never topped 800 rushing yards in a season with Washington. He came closest in 2024, finishing with 799 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. Robinson, 27, missed three games that season and seven more from 2022-23. In 2022, however, the Alabama alum completed a remarkably quick recovery after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds in an attempted carjacking. He returned and started nine games as a rookie.
Allgeier played out his Falcons rookie contract, and both Arthur Smith and Zac Robinson deployed the former fifth-round pick — a 1,000-yard rusher as a 2022 rookie — frequently during his four seasons with the team. Allgeier twice averaged at least 4.6 yards per carry, and he totaled at least 137 handoffs in each of his Atlanta seasons. The Cardinals gave Allgeier a two-year, $12.25MM deal to join James Conner in their backfield. Kevin Stefanski‘s first Falcons RB cadre will feature a lower-priced veteran, a strategy that may well precede a monster Bijan Robinson payday.
Becoming extension-eligible in January, Bijan Robinson is a clear candidate for a market-setting running back deal. The Falcons will need to top Saquon Barkley‘s $20.6MM AAV to lock down their dual-threat dynamo. Meanwhile, Brian Robinson will look to commandeer the Allgeier role after taking a backseat to McCaffrey during the latter’s 2025 bounce-back season. Brian Robinson took 92 handoffs last season, rushing for 400 yards with San Francisco. He will see about his own resurgent season ahead of a potential 2027 free agency payday.
I’m still surprised Allgeier only got two years $12.5 million, especially to sign with a DOA team.
The Niners should have brought back Robinson but wouldnt use him enough anyway. They want to use McCaffrey till the wheels fall off with that hefty salary.
Really good move by Atlanta but man has Robinson’s market tanked!
He’s way better than this contract.
Should be fun having Robinson and Robinson in the backfield
Brian Robinson should wear number 6 to compliment Bijan Robinson number 7
Or have Bijan switch to number 9
Do a little two split back backfield
2 things that the NFL took away from us:
1. Jerseys with initials (Bi. ROBINSON, Br. ROBINSON)
2. Running backs wearing double-digits
And here’s to you, Mr Robinson … Atlanta has a place for you to play … hey hey hey, heyheyhey.