Bijan Robinson contract hold-in, explained: Why Falcons RB is sitting out of training camp practice in Atlanta

After an electrifying finish to last season, Bijan Robinson has a case to be called the best running back in the NFL. He now wants to be paid like it.

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Robinson opened training camp by «holding in,» or sitting out of practice while still reporting to the team.

The 24-year-old became eligible for a contract extension at the start of this past offseason, though his rookie deal runs all the way through next season after the Falcons exercised his fifth-year option.

Here’s more to know about Robinson’s hold-in.

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Bijan Robinson contract hold-in

Robinson sat out of practice on Wednesday morning, instead standing without a helmet and watching the team’s other running backs go through drills.

Bijan Robinson is on the field but he doesn’t have his helmet on and isn’t going thru drills with the running backs. pic.twitter.com/CHwMM8wqBB

— Alison Mastrangelo (@AlisonWSB) July 29, 2026

While Robinson hasn’t spoken about his absence yet and reporters haven’t had a chance to ask coach Kevin Stefanski, he appears to be sitting out in hopes of landing a new contract.

Training camp «hold-ins» have become a more popular choice than holdouts among players seeking new contracts in recent years. While a player stays away from the facility completely during a holdout and is typically fined, a player holding in reports to the team but does not participate in practice.

Sitting out of practice serves as injury protection during contract negotiations, but it also puts some pressure on the team to get a deal done. A hold-in likely creates a better environment for communication between the two sides, given the player is in the building on a daily basis.

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Here are more details on Robinson’s contract situation.

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Bijan Robinson contract details

Robinson is heading into the fourth year of what became a five-year rookie contract when the Falcons exercised his fifth-year option. The All-Pro is making just under $7 million this season and is due to make $11.3 million on the option next year.

Any new deal signed by Robinson wouldn’t take effect until 2028, but he’s in position to potentially become the highest-paid player at the running back position — more than $20.6 million per year — after a season that saw him put up 2,298 scrimmage yards. 

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Falcons RB depth chart

The good news for the Falcons: they have two running backs named «B. Robinson» on the roster. The bad news: no one can replace the one at the top of the depth chart.

It’s highly unlikely a hold-in would get to the point that the Falcons would need Brian Robinson Jr. to step in as a starter, but the former Commanders and 49ers running back is Atlanta’s backup, followed by former Colts RB Tyler Goodson.

Undrafted RBs Nathan Carter and Cash Jones round out the position group, with both likely competing for a roster spot. As long as Robinson holds out, everyone at the position will jump up at least one spot on the depth chart. 

Bijan Robinson stats

Robinson is coming off back-to-back seasons of more than 1,400 rushing yards, and he made his biggest impact as a pass-catcher in 2025 with 820 yards through the air for nearly 2,300 total scrimmage yards.

The former first-round pick is averaging nearly five yards per carry in three NFL seasons and has seen his efficiency improve with each season.

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