Bijan Robinson and Michael Penix Jr (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
When he wasn’t zipping past fellow 8th graders as a middle schooler in Arizona, Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson was hanging with Greek gods.
“My favorite as a kid was Percy Jackson the Lightning Thief … all those books were so special to me,” Robinson, who recently gave 8,000 books to Atlanta children through his foundation, said in an interview with RG this week. And his favorite God in the books? The lightning bolt-flinging Zeus.
Robinson has moved like lightning in the early weeks of the 2025 season: In the Falcons’ Week 4 matchup with Washington, Robinson notched a career-high with 191 total yards as Atlanta climbed to 2-2 with a 34-27 win over the Commanders. As he rumbled into the end zone for his first rushing touchdown of the season, the third-year back effortlessly hit a one-arm handstand celebration that had fans drawing comparisons to the classic Georgia dance movie classic, Stomp the Yard.
As part of his partnership with Colgate, Robinson took a break from his bye week—and marathon sessions of 2K and FIFA—to talk about how his growing relationship with second-year quarterback Michael Penix, Jr., and how a disappointing division loss has given the Falcons an edge that makes them a sleeper in the NFC.
Robinson Reflects on Week 3 Loss
“Two weeks ago, we didn’t finish the game how we wanted to finish,” Robinson says, “and we lost to a division rival.”
The Falcons didn’t just lose that Week 3 game: They were pummeled by Carolina, 30-0, dropping to 1-2. But Robinson thinks the early loss may have been a blessing for Atlanta.
“That really brought us so close together in such a way that God does everything for a reason,” he says. “The reason right there was to make us, like, we can’t go into games just thinking we’re going to win it. No matter how good a team is, no matter how bad of a team, this is the NFL. It’s important for us to go into every game like it’s a championship game … don’t look ahead, don’t look who’s on the schedule next.”
After their win at Washington, the Falcons had two weeks to see the big, bad Bills looming on their schedule for Week 6. Robinson sees the early bye in Week 5 as an added blessing that can help spur his team forward against Buffalo, but as the season progresses.
“Sometimes, early byes are good for teams to create momentum, and to continue to keep going on that run,” he says. Robinson says he thinks this can spur the team to his preseason goal: A playoff berth. “We’re playing with an edge right now … we’re looking at this game, and we have to play our hearts out in this week because that’s what’s going to help us become the team we want to become.”
Gelling With Penix in The Passing Game
Through the first four games of 2025, Robinson is averaging 5.75 targets per game, compared to 4.23 per game last year. He’s making about one more catch per game, and has notched two 100-yard receiving games already in this young season.
Part of that success, Robinson says, is due to a growing relationship with second-year signal caller, Michael Penix Jr.
“When you understand the quarterback, and the quarterback understands you and what you’re trying to do, then everything’s effective,” he says. Penix has taken special time to meet with each of his receivers—and Robinson—after practice, outside of meetings, and in after-hours phone calls. “I’ve really appreciated him for taking the time to work with me, and then me taking the time for work with him.”
Robinson says that this extra work, and the time they’ve had to gel, means Penix has a better idea when the tailback will break in a route, know the timing of each route, and the speed with which Robinson will make certain moves.
“It’s become a cool thing for the season,” he says, “and I think it’s only going to grow from here.”
During Thursday’s Giants-Eagles game, Robinson debuted a new commercial with Colgate Total. His partnership with the brand is focused on preventive mouth care.
“My oral health is really important … I smile a lot. I bring a lot of joy,” he says. But the main reason he’s focused on his oral health? “I hate the dentist! I hate it with a passion.”