Bijan Robinson stole the show to cap off Week 6, producing a career effort on Monday Night Football, racking up 238 scrimmage yards (a single-game franchise record for an RB) in Atlanta's dominant win over Buffalo. Highlighted by a career-long 81-yard touchdown run, Robinson's effort prompted head coach Raheem Morris to double down on a strong statement he made early in the season.
"He's the best player in football," Morris said after the game. "I've said it multiple times. I can't say it enough. You can always have your pick. You can always go out there and figure out who you want to vote for, but in my opinion he's the best player in football."
Entering Week 7, Robinson leads the NFL with 822 scrimmage yards despite only playing five games. He and Hall of Famer Thurman Thomas are the only players in NFL history to have at least 450 rushing yards and 300 receiving yards in their first five games of a season (Thomas accomplished this en route to being named MVP in 1991). In addition, Robinson is on pace for 2,795 scrimmage yards this season, which would set the NFL's all-time single-season record, besting Chris Johnson's mark of 2,509, set in 2009. He's also on course to join Christian McCaffrey (2019), Marshall Faulk (1999) and Roger Craig (1985) as the only players in NFL history to have 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season.
Robinson is off to historic start -- which is why we're asking this question:
Is Bijan Robinson the best player in football?
I can appreciate the love Raheem Morris has for his star running back, and the best player in football right now is in the NFC South. It just so happens that his name is Baker Mayfield. Tampa Bay leads the division and is tied for the best record in football (5-1). The Bucs are doing all this despite dealing with injuries to four of their top receivers, their best running back and an assortment of offensive linemen. That’s because of the job Mayfield has done leading this team to close wins, week in and week out. He’s already the early favorite for MVP. And if he keeps this up, he’s going to run away with it.
As of today, I'll say yes. Robinson has been unstoppable in the run and pass games this season, evidenced by his career-long 81-yard touchdown run on Monday and his 69-yard catch-and-run against the Commanders in Week 4. Bijan's game is at the height of its powers three years into his career. If you need more proof, peep this factoid from NFL Research: Bijan has the fourth-most scrimmage yards through five games in the Super Bowl era -- behind Christian McCaffrey (866 yards in 2019) and O.J. Simpson (861 in 1973; 842 in 1975).
I'm ready to crown Robinson as the best running back in the game. Honestly, maybe he's the best non-quarterback. But it's hard for me -- a former NFL quarterback myself -- to give someone who doesn't play the toughest position on the field the title of best player in the game. QBs are asked to do so much on a play-to-play basis, so I give an edge to those guys who are playing that position at an elite level. That said, Bijan is the non-QB standard right now. Sure, there are stronger guys (Derrick Henry), and players with better lateral quickness (Saquon Barkley) and speed (De'Von Achane), but the Falcons' young star boasts a singular combination of size, speed and athleticism. Not to mention, his ability to run between the tackles or catch out of the backfield is exceptional.
Watching Bijan Robinson play this season has been an absolute joy -- unless you’re on the opposing sideline. His presence forces defenses to dedicate extra resources to preventing big plays. Look no further than the Bills trying (and failing) to come up with answers for Robinson on Monday night. But -- and you knew there was a “but” coming, right? -- I think the title of "Best Player in the NFL" still belongs to Lamar Jackson. For seven seasons, he’s been a one-man wrecking crew. The scariest part is that in the last couple of years, Jackson has unlocked a new dimension by becoming an even deadlier passer to complement his devastating rushing ability. The Ravens’ lopsided losses without Lamar in Weeks 5 and 6 could serve as his MVP résumé reel for 2025. He might not be able to overcome Baltimore’s porous defense, but he keeps his team in the game. That alone speaks volumes.
Sure, Bijan Robinson is a human highlight reel. Sure, he leads the NFL through six weeks with 822 scrimmage yards, 5.8 rushing yards per carry and 129 rush yards over expected. Sure, Raheem Morris has been singing his RB's praises for months now. But does that make Robinson the best player in the NFL? What does that even mean, maaan? Robinson is no more impactful or critical to his offense this season than Jonathan Taylor, Puka Nacua or Jaxon Smith-Njigba. He's no more consistent or disruptive than Will Anderson Jr., Myles Garrett or Aidan Hutchinson. He doesn't affect every offensive play the way a star starting QB does; look at what Lamar Jackson's absence has done to Baltimore. One prime-time breakout does not make for the "best player in the NFL." Robinson is surely in the top 20, but to reach that No. 1 echelon, the third-year RB must continue to produce at least 100 scrimmage yards per game and ultimately carry Atlanta back to the postseason.
You have to love Raheem Morris backing his guy. Although Bijan is blossoming into one of the best players in the NFL, I don't believe he is even the best player at his position right now, let alone the entire league. The honor of best RB goes to Jonathan Taylor, while the debate for the top guy in the NFL involves the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson (when healthy), Josh Allen and Myles Garrett. Let's see a bigger sample size of performances like Bijan had Monday night and we can revisit this discussion.
He's certainly the best back in the NFL. And in a season in which there's no runaway MVP candidate, I think there's absolutely a debate worth having here. I might have nominated Fred Warner for that honor, but he's out for the season with injury. I thought Saquon Barkley was the best player in the league last season, and Robinson is on pace to have nearly 2,800 scrimmage yards, which would be 500 more than Barkley had last season. So it's far from an absurd argument -- and it might just be right.
