Bijan Robinson signed a three-year contract extension worth up to $75 million with the Atlanta Falcons on Tuesday, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. Within minutes of the news, the star player received a congratulatory text message from actor and University of Texas figure Matthew McConaughey.
A Record-Breaking Deal in Atlanta
The Atlanta Falcons secured their star offensive weapon on Tuesday just before 9 a.m. The agreement spans three years and reaches a total value of up to $75 million.
That lucrative annual payout immediately elevates Robinson to the status of the highest-paid running back in the history of the National Football League.
The financial commitment from the Falcons follows a stellar individual campaign. Through his third NFL season, Robinson led the entire league with 2,298 yards from scrimmage. That dominant stretch included 1,478 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, paired with 79 catches for 820 yards and four scores through the air.
Training Camp Hold-In Ends With Practice Return
Robinson had been holding in from training camp as negotiations for his new contract progressed.
The running back was back on the practice field on Tuesday following the agreement, though coaching staff managed his workload carefully. Per updates from team reporters, Robinson was held out of full team drills while building up his conditioning for a complete return to action.
Matthew McConaughey Sent the First Text
Massive professional milestones draw attention from across the sports and entertainment worlds, but one famous alumnus beat everyone else to the punch. Actor Matthew McConaughey reached out to congratulate Robinson almost instantly.
“There’s been some cool people [who’ve reached out]. But as soon as the news hit, Matthew McConaughey hit me. As soon as it hit, he texted me. It was cool to see him, as soon as it hit — he was the first one. So, that was cool.”
Bijan Robinson, via Newsweek
The bond between the player and the actor runs deeper than casual celebrity fandom. McConaughey serves as the official Minister of Culture
for the University of Texas athletic program and first met Robinson in 2019 when the running back visited Austin as a high school junior.
From Austin Stardom to Professional Dominance
Before anchoring Atlanta’s backfield, Robinson built a storied collegiate career with the Texas Longhorns from 2020 to 2022. During those three seasons, he amassed 4,215 yards from scrimmage and scored 41 total touchdowns.
His final college campaign in Austin showcased his peak dominance. Robinson led the Big 12 with 1,580 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns, earning praise and mentorship from McConaughey long before the Falcons drafted him in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season Opener
With his long-term financial future secured and training camp reps ramping up, Robinson and the Falcons turn their attention toward the upcoming schedule. Atlanta is set to open its 2026 regular-season campaign with a high-profile Week 1 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 13.
