The Peregrine falcon is the fastest bird in the world, reaching speeds of more than 200 mph. Bijan Robinson would like to be that sort of Falcon in 2025.
"We're done with 30-yard runs and all that stuff," the running back recently told the team's official website. "Now it's time to get those 60 yards, 50 yards. So, I've been doing a lot more explosive drills. I've been doing a lot more running -- 100 yards, like sprinting -- so we can be prepared for, God willing, when those moments come in all the games."
Robinson generated a Pro Bowl second season in 2024, earning 1,456 yards and 14 touchdowns on 304 carries. He finished fourth among all NFL players with 1,887 scrimmage yards and fourth with 70 missed tackles forced, per Pro Football Focus.
Next Gen Stats defines an explosive run as 10-plus yards, of which Robinson earned 34 last season, tied for fourth among running backs. However, the Falcons RB's longest run went for just 37 yards. Fifteen backs had a run longer. Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, Jahmyr Gibbs and Jonathan Taylor all had runs of at least 70 yards.
Robinson is working on turning his 10-yard gains into 50-yarders.
"I work on it every single day," Robinson said. "Obviously, the explosives, we always want them. We've added so many things to this offense so we can create more explosives. And, for me, sometimes it's that one defender, but now that's all. That's what I've been working on all offseason, just seeing that free hitter and making moves off him."
Barkley had a legendarily explosive season in 2024, often calling game on a tight match with a blastoff to paydirt. The Offensive Player of the Year had a league-high seven 40-plus yard runs en route to joining the 2,000-yard club.
"We all want it. We're all waiting for that Saquon-type of season when it comes to explosives," Robinson said. "But I've been working on it a lot this offseason. And, obviously, when it gets to the season, it's time to go show it and go do the work the right way."
Improved blocking could help Robinson's cause. Barkley thrived behind the best line in football in Philadelphia. The Eagles back earned 1,328 yards before contact, per Pro Football Reference. Robinson ranked fifth last year with 728. Robinson's 2.4 yards before contact last season ranked below the league average of 2.5, per PFR.
