The conversation around the Atlanta Falcons ‘offseason has been dominated by a lack of quarterback consistency. A four-man quarterback room can do that, but has it made the football world forget how great and important superstar running back Bijan Robinson is to the Falcons’ offense? Or is he also a casualty of poor quarterback play?
With the Falcons starting the season with Cooper Rush and Jack Strand at quarterback, the emphasis was always going to be on getting the ball in Robinson’s hands. In Week One against the Steelers, the game plan was obvious: get the ball to Bijan.
Given Atlanta’s situation, that was the right approach. The problem was that the Falcons made their intentions far too obvious and predictable.
That predictability led to a T.J. Watt interception that ended in the end zone. The poor execution didn’t just end a promising drive, but effectively ended the game, as Pittsburgh’s lead became insurmountable with the remaining time.
In Week Two, the philosophy remained the same. But Atlanta’s inability to successfully push the ball downfield without a turnover made Robinson’s job increasingly difficult. Defenses don’t have much reason to respect the passing game when the Falcons haven’t shown they can beat teams that way.
The first two games have demonstrated the limitations even an elite back like Robinson faces when an offense becomes one-dimensional. He’s one of the NFL’s most versatile weapons, capable of hurting defenses as a runner or receiver, but there’s only so much he can do when opponents know where the football is going.
Without competent quarterback play to keep defenses honest, Robinson will face loaded boxes and defenders creeping closer to the line of scrimmage. That’s hardly a recipe for allowing one of the league’s most dynamic players to consistently create game-changing plays.
Robinson’s versatility should help Michael Penix Jr. succeed when he returns. A legitimate passing threat should also return the favor by creating more favorable opportunities for Robinson.
Robinson hasn’t suddenly become less dangerous. If anything, Atlanta’s first two games have reinforced exactly why the offseason conversation centered so heavily on QB1. The Falcons don’t need their quarterback to replace Robinson as the centerpiece of the offense. They need competent quarterback play so Robinson can be the centerpiece of the offense.
