Bijan Robinson's first contact with Drake London was about a jersey number. Robinson, drafted eighth overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2023, had worn No. 5 at Texas, the number London was wearing with the Falcons after being selected with the same pick a year earlier. Robinson got London's number from then-head coach Arthur Smith and sent a polite text. London agreed to give up No. 5 after learning No. 15 was unavailable, so Robinson chose No. 7. "It all worked out," Robinson said.
The two are now close friends and form the offensive foundation for the Falcons. Both signed long-term contract extensions in the offseason that could keep them in Atlanta through the 2030 season. The team has struggled, sitting at 3-4 this season and failing to make the playoffs or post a winning record in the three years the pair has played together. Neither player is to blame. Robinson leads the NFL in rushing with 704 yards, and London is fourth in the league with 616 receiving yards.
Their shared goal is bringing a championship to Atlanta. The Falcons have not made the playoffs since 2017, the second-longest drought in the NFL, and they have never won a Super Bowl. "[Bijan and I] talk about that before every season," London said. "This is the one where we got to do it."
The duo's chemistry was also visible during a 34-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 2, when the two were seen on the bench discussing how to improve the offense. Robinson said the conversation focused on how they could help the team get better.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing