Stephen A. Smith Lauds Bijan Robinson for Resetting Running Back Market with $22.25 Million Salary

Atlanta Falcons star Bijan Robinson is without a doubt one of the best running backs in the NFL after another superlative season.

Stephen A. Smith Lauds Bijan Robinson for Resetting Running Back Market with $22.25 Million Salary

Bijan Robinson becomes highest-paid running back (Image via NFL/X)

The running back position saw a major decline in salaries after several owners felt that the position was not as impactful as other offensive players. Fast forward to now, and Saquon Barkley, Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and several others have forced the league to rethink that logic.

When the Philadelphia Eagles handed out the richest contract for that position to Barkley, he rewarded them with one of the best seasons in league history, which also paved the way to their second Super Bowl win.

Even though he had a down year by his standards, his peers have consistently proved why that position needs to be taken seriously. That has seen salaries steadily rising, but no one was resetting the market.

That was until the Atlanta Falcons decided that it was better to pay their star running back Bijan Robinson now rather than wait until it gets more expensive. They handed him a three-year, $75 million extension that brings with it a record $51 million in guaranteed money.

What that also does is that the 24-year-old ends up resetting the running back market, after his $22.25 million average salary surpassed the $20.6 million Barkley is making.

I love the fact that I see a running back getting paid. One of the most egregious things in all of sports is the treatment that running backs in the NFL have received… Your production is what should speak for you… I’m very happy for him, this is well deserved.

Stephen A. Smith said on First Take

The ESPN analyst was correct to point out that the treatment running backs received was atrocious. He is happy that Bijan Robinson forced the owners to rethink their stance.

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Bijan Robinson’s deal leads Jonathan Taylor to think about his future

Now that Bijan Robinson has reset the running back market, others playing the same position will probably be rubbing their hands in glee about big deals coming their way. One such player, who had no idea this news broke, had the best reaction.

Hopefully, I gotta go talk to my agent, too … I have faith, so I’m gonna tap in and check in with him, now that you guys broke the news to me.

Jonathan Taylor told reporters

The Indianapolis Colts star had a better season statistically than Robinson and is also in the last year of his current contract. That is why he probably wants to talk to his agent so that he can get some negotiating power.

Jonathan Taylor earns more than $10 million less than the Falcons star and would like to earn one more big payday before he starts to slow down. Running backs have a shorter timespan than other NFL players, and that is why he would probably want to get as much as he can.

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Jonathan Taylor and Bijan Robinson will not be the only running backs to break the bank

There is a chance that Jonathan Taylor ends up getting a fat extension after Bijan Robinson showed him and the rest of the running back class what is possible. But the Colts star will not be the only halfback with a major deal before next season starts.

Jahmyr Gibbs is not practicing
Jahmyr Gibbs is not practicing (Image via Brad Galli/X)

It’s not gonna hurt. But we’ll see, I’m anxious to get Gibbs back out there.

Dan Campbell told reporters

This was the Detroit Lions head coach suggesting that Robinson’s contract extension could speed up negotiations with star running back Jahmyr Gibbs. The latter has not been practicing with the team, as he wants an extension over his rookie deal before the season starts.

But the coach knows he cannot do anything about it when a player is insistent he wants to be paid before he suits up. Gibbs might not have had Robinson’s stats this past season, but his importance to the Lions will probably see him land a big deal.

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