Best of the Bus: Bijan Robinson Recaps His Rookie Year + His Relationship With Arthur Smith

Summary

Bussin’ With The Boys: "Best of the Bus – Bijan Robinson Recaps His Rookie Year + His Relationship with Arthur Smith"

Date: January 24, 2026
Guests: Bijan Robinson
Hosts: Will Compton & Taylor Lewan

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Episode Overview

In this lively and insightful episode, NFL rising star Bijan Robinson hops on the bus to recap his transformative rookie year with the Atlanta Falcons. Joined by hosts Will Compton and Taylor Lewan, Bijan offers a candid look at his journey from Texas standout to NFL difference-maker, discussing everything from his upbringing, faith, and college recruitment to navigating the NFL’s business side, his evolving relationship with coach Arthur Smith, and his burgeoning “Bijan Mustardson” brand. The conversation is loaded with entertaining banter, locker-room takes, practical wisdom, and a few deep dives into football culture.

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Major Topics & Key Insights

1. College Football Legacy & Texas Roots

[00:34–02:45]

• Bijan argues for the greatness of Texas running backs, playfully ribbing Michigan’s record.
  • "I did say I’m biased, but you saw in the draft—the first running back taken was from Texas." ([01:22])
• Reflects on choosing Texas over Ohio State, driven by faith and coach relationships.
  • "A lot of prayer, bro. My faith is my biggest thing. I just knew that's where God wanted me to go." ([03:18])
• Reveals he silently committed to Ohio State for a week before choosing Texas.
  • "That was the hardest conversation of my life." ([05:01])

2. The Importance of Coaching Relationships

[03:56–07:48]

• Emphasizes how crucial position coaches are for a player’s growth and trust.
  • "The position coach is what’s most important. If you don’t agree with him—if he doesn’t trust you—you’re not playing." ([06:21])
• Notes how NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) and the transfer portal have changed college football.
  • "No relationships are being built...after one spring semester, they’re leaving." ([07:34])

3. Transitioning to the NFL: Business & Brotherhood

[09:30–11:12]

• Bijan reflects on the NFL's transactional nature.
  • "'I love you, but don’t ever trust me.' That’s the mindset of all these coaches." ([09:40])
• He still values building relationships for the long run.
  • "Say I’m not here anymore, those coaches could vouch for me elsewhere because of the relationships." ([10:49])

4. Recapping the Rookie Year: Challenges & Highlights

[11:12–16:39]

• Describes the draft process as long and mentally draining. Acting classes helped with interview training.
  • "I want to be an actor one day. Acting classes made the interviews easy." ([11:24])
• Dealt with media debate on whether to draft a running back top 10.
  • "Some days I’d see my face on TV—should you draft him? Should you not?" ([12:24])
• Immediate impact in training camp; gratitude for Arthur Smith’s usage of his diverse skill set.
  • "I appreciate Arthur Smith for lining me up everywhere. The game slowed down for me because of it." ([13:24])
• NFL differences: speed, intelligence, and relentless pursuit.
  • "In the league, guys are smarter, always chasing the ball—rarely out of position." ([14:16])
• Memorable touchdown in first game crystallized confidence.
  • "Made a move, broke some tackles—oh shoot, I could do this at a high level." ([17:46])

5. Navigating the Falcons’ Midseason Workload Shift

[19:01–23:41]

• Addresses fan curiosity around his workload and snap count changes during the season.
  • "Coach Smith didn’t want to Derrick Henry me year one...gradually getting me ready." ([19:52])
• Confirms it was a load management strategy, not due to injury.
• Maintained transparency and trust with coaching staff.
  • "We were always on the same page...media and fantasy people just didn’t know the plan." ([22:06])
• Handled media/fan questions with composure.
  • "This is all part of the process, all in God’s plan." ([23:02])

6. Year Two: Growth, Leadership, and Aspirations

[23:41–25:59]

• Focused on leading by example, learning from veterans like Calais Campbell.
  • "He sat me down: You can be the best RB in the NFL for a long time—show it by your work." ([24:11])
• Sets big personal and team goals—2,000 yard season, “kill the league” with Tyler Allgeier.
  • "I set astronomical goals...it’s not about diminishing anyone, just what I want to chase." ([25:56])

7. Chemistry with New Teammates & Kirk Cousins

[25:59–27:53]

• Excited about QB Kirk Cousins joining the Falcons.
  • "He’s a top 10 QB, and just a good dude. Our relationship is strong already." ([26:07])
  • "He wants everyone on offense to have their best season. That’s huge for a quarterback coming in." ([27:21])
• Shares stories of cousin’s energy and leadership in meetings.

8. Building “Bijan Mustardson” – The Mustard Brand

[28:09–32:10]

• Origin story: initial skepticism about making a mustard brand; quickly turned into viral, top-selling product.
  • "We thought it was cheesy...then it became the highest-selling condiment in the US that football season." ([29:42])
• Hosts brainstorm touchdown celebrations involving the mustard, with Bijan loving the fan engagement.
  • "That’s such a good idea—after a touchdown, someone throws it from the crowd. We can do a lot with it." ([31:06])
• Mascot attends Falcons and Texas games—now a fun part of his brand.

9. Locker Room Life: Gaming, Golf, Athletes Across Sports

[32:24–35:00]

• Bijan is into FIFA, 2K, and UFC—admits he’s not the best gamer on the team (“Cou” the kicker is great at FIFA).
• Compares NFL and NBA athleticism.
  • "No NBA player can play in the NFL, but no NFL player can play in the NBA." ([35:09])

10. Falcons Teammates & NFL Player Rankings

[36:43–39:28]

• Tear Talk: Bijan ranks his favorite Falcons (Zach Harrison #3, Matthew Bergeron #2, Tyler Allgeier #1, honorable mention: long snapper Liam and Jesse Bates).
• Ranks top NFL RBs: 1) Christian McCaffrey, 2) Breece Hall, 3) Saquon Barkley.
  • "McCaffrey—his stop and start is incredible. I compare my game most to his." ([38:16])
  • "Saquon—just gifted talent, his lateral movement is crazy." ([38:42])

11. Podcast & Pop Culture Preferences

[40:03–43:05]

• Discusses favorite podcasts and hosts: Joe Rogan, Dax Shepard (Armchair Expert), Theo Von, PMT (Pardon My Take).
  • "Rogan—his presence, curiosity, and range are wild." ([40:11])
• Chimes in on fandom of “John Wick” vs “Jason Bourne”.
  • "John Wick’s never lost to me...though he loses in a way he looks like he won." ([16:58])

12. The Bijan-Arthur Smith Dynamic & Coaching Appreciation

[45:50–47:54]

• Praises Arthur Smith's quick, dark humor; group chat banter.
• Top three coaches in his life: Dennis Bene (high school), Tashard Choice (Texas), and Raheem Morris (already “up there” after a month with the Falcons).
  • "Raheem...his presence, he’s in the drills with you! Never had a coach like that before." ([47:55])

13. Adversity & Torches of Leadership

[48:28–51:39]

• Describes pressure and adversity at Texas when the team wasn’t winning—took losses personally, learned to block out online criticism.
  • "Going on Twitter and seeing what people said...it was a learning lesson. Now I don’t care what people think." ([49:35])
• Struggled with teammates who lacked his commitment.
  • "Some teammates just wanted the name, not the grind. Their priorities were backwards." ([50:42])
• NFL heartbreak: close losses hurt, but believes setbacks are setups.

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Notable Quotes

• Bijan on NFL business: "This is truly where it’s a transactional business...at any point if you're not doing your job, we'll see you later." ([09:34])
• On building relationships: "Say those coaches are somewhere else—if you built those relationships, they’ll vouch for you and pick you up." ([10:49])
• On speed of the NFL: "Dudes are smarter in the league, always chasing the ball." ([14:16])
• On dealing with public scrutiny: "You just let the noise be noise—a lot of it is all part of the process, all in God’s plan." ([23:02])
• Calais Campbell’s advice: "You can really be the best running back in the NFL for a long time...show it by your work." ([24:11])
• On NIL era: "Nowadays in NIL, no relationships are being built...that’s why you see so many transfers." ([07:34])
• On adversity: "Some teammates went to school for the name, not the grind...their priorities were backwards." ([50:42])

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Memorable & Fun Moments

• Bijan’s first NFL touchdown described as his “I’ve arrived” moment ([17:46])
• John Wick vs. Jason Bourne debate ([16:39])
• Hosts brainstorm hilarious new touchdown celebrations involving Bijan Mustardson ([31:06])
• Insights into Falcons’ locker room personalities and gaming hierarchy ([32:59])
• Tear Talk and player ranking games bring out Bijan’s team-first mentality and humility ([36:46], [39:26])

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Conclusion

This episode offers a consistently entertaining, honest, and detailed look at Bijan Robinson’s mindset as both a football player and a person—balancing humility and ambition, leveraging strong relationships, committing to his craft, and never shying away from the business or emotional realities of pro ball. Whether you’re an NFL fan, Texas supporter, or simply love hearing an emerging superstar open up, this one’s got gems throughout.

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For more: Listen to the full episode for Bijan’s voice, the hosts’ humor, and bonus stories not captured here!

Transcript

[Host 1]

This is an Iheart podcast.

[Bijan Robinson]

Guaranteed human.

[Host 1]

Reggie, I just sold my car online.

[Host 2]

Let's go, grandpa.

[Bijan Robinson]

Wait, you did?

[Host 1]

Yep, on Carvana. Just put in the license plate, answered a few questions, got an offer in minutes. Easier than setting up that new digital picture frame.

[Host 2]

You don't say.

[Host 1]

Yeah, they're even picking it up tomorrow. Talk about fast.

[Bijan Robinson]

Wow. Way to go. So about that picture frame.

[Host 2]

Ah, forget about it.

[Host 1]

Until Carvana makes one, I'm not interested. Car selling made easy on pick up fees may apply.

[Bijan Robinson]

B.

[Host 1]

Welcome to busting with the boys. As I was sitting down, you had some very choice. I just came out of nowhere. You were ranking Texas running back quote what he said.

[Host 2]

He said better than any running back that came out of Michigan. He said Ricky Williams, Earl Campbell himself better than any running back that's coming up. Michigan. Okay.

[Host 1]

Ricky Williams.

[Bijan Robinson]

The.

[Host 1]

The goat couldn't stop smoking.

[Host 2]

Oh, yeah.

[Host 1]

Earl Campbell. Really good ball player. And you've only had one year in the league, brother. I mean, we got a.

[Host 2]

But we're talking college ball.

[Bijan Robinson]

I did say I'm biased, but there's been like. I mean, you got.

[Host 1]

You got 55 touchdowns, Charles, but what'd.

[Host 2]

You say about Blake Corum's touchdowns?

[Bijan Robinson]

No, I mean, no, I mean, he's one of the best running backs in college football history. I give him that. But there was a lot of them touchdowns.

[Host 1]

One of the best running back yard lines in college football history.

[Bijan Robinson]

He is, but he doesn't. I respect him. Heavy, but. I don't know. I mean, you saw in the draft this year that the first running back taking off the board was from Texas. He's from Texas.

[Host 1]

How'd y' all do against Washington? How'd that go?

[Bijan Robinson]

It didn't go well.

[Host 1]

We handled it for you the next week.

[Bijan Robinson]

Y' all did. Y' all did.

[Host 1]

We took care of business. We won a national championship.

[Bijan Robinson]

You right, you're right. But. And congratulations.

[Host 1]

Thank you very much.

[Bijan Robinson]

I appreciate that. Yeah, we'll get that one next year.

[Host 2]

You think on the come up this year?

[Bijan Robinson]

I think we're really good. Even just us going to the sec. Like, I think we have like a really good chance of doing some good stuff. I mean, we got. We got everybody coming from the Portal.

[Host 1]

Like, yeah, you guys in Ohio State.

[Host 2]

But are they going to build the culture? How is it playing for. How was it playing for Coach Sark?

[Bijan Robinson]

Man, it was so much fun, like just having, you know him as not necessarily a father figure, but like an older brother to come and like actually coach me and just take Me in. And what was cool is, like, me and Sark, I was with him for the rise of what he has now. So, you know, with, like, those struggles that we went through, like, that was, like, what we had to go through. And now seeing him, you know, be respected around the whole college football, around everybody that knows football, like, it's pretty sick. I ain't gonna lie. But he's definitely the dude that I respect a lot, especially for, like, making me who I am today.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Bijan Robinson]

As a young man, but, man, I love that dude, man.

[Host 1]

Dude. Texas is such a dope university. We had the opportunity to go there and check it out.

[Bijan Robinson]

When'd y' all go?

[Host 1]

We went. We were in Austria last spring.

[Host 2]

Yep.

[Host 1]

But the uniforms just, like, how everyone kind of rides with the Longhorns there. It's a. It's a joke university.

[Bijan Robinson]

It's crazy. And it's cool because, like, like, Texas, like, it's not a. It's not a college town, but it feels like a college town because how big the campus is, and then you got like, downtown, like, five minutes away. So it is. I love it so much. Yeah.

[Host 1]

When you're coming up through high school, like, what. What made you choose Texas?

[Bijan Robinson]

Just. Just a lot of prayer, bro. Like, like, you know, my faith is. My big. Is my biggest thing. So I just knew, like, that's where God wanted me to go. And I mean, what, three years later? Like, he was right. But it was more so like the coaches there. I mean, I had like, my. My first running back coach, Coach Drayton. He. He. He was like the best college running back coach in the country. I mean, he had like, Ezekiel Elliott at Ohio State. Like, he did so many. He had so many guys. So when I went to him, it was like a no brainer. And my first year, like, it was hard. It was hard, bro. Like. Cause I had Covid. So it was a Covid year for me. I came in in the summer, so I didn't have like that spring. That spring.

[Host 2]

Developmental development.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah. But it was a good time. Like, just going there and learning from him at first. And then obviously he got a head coaching job and then the rest was history with coach choice.

[Host 1]

Was there any other school that came close?

[Bijan Robinson]

Ohio State. Ohio State. I know you hate to hear this. I know you hate to hear this, but, like, so I silently committed to Ohio State for a week.

[Host 2]

Silently committed for a week.

[Host 1]

That's the second time we've heard that.

[Host 2]

I know. It's like that little.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah. For a week.

[Host 2]

Hey, I'm just Letting you know that.

[Host 1]

Side girl talk again. Here we go.

[Bijan Robinson]

That's exactly what it was. And it was like, it was more so like people and players like in my ear telling me like, you gotta go here, you should go here. Like, we're gonna build a dynasty here. You're gonna be amazing. Which could have been true. But I just knew like, you know, I could really go to Texas for a 40 year decision and like, not just football, but I can become somebody here and always come back here and always like feel like this was always the place for me. And then, I mean, that was the main decision. But yeah, for a week, man. And I told the coaches, like, that was the hardest conversation of my life.

[Host 2]

I was gonna say, how, when you decommitted, how was it?

[Bijan Robinson]

It was tough. It was tough. Cause I called the coaches and I was like, hey, look, like my heart's.

[Host 1]

Beating for you right now.

[Host 2]

I know I committed last Monday.

[Bijan Robinson]

I know I committed on Monday. Yeah. Now Saturday and I called him. I was like, you know, this just isn't the place for me, like having to say that to like a grown man and then him be like, what are you talking about? Like I, I sent all my running backs away. Like, you were the only one I was getting. Like, it was, man, it was crazy.

[Host 2]

It's got to be heartbreak whenever that.

[Host 1]

Yeah, yeah.

[Host 2]

Cuz he's a f. I mean he was the man.

[Host 1]

He is the man.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

He's continued to stay.

[Host 2]

The lot of guys are the man.

[Host 1]

And then they fizzle out. Still staying the man.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah. Appreciate it.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Bijan Robinson]

Like it, it was just, it was, it was just tough like to have that conversation as a 17 year old.

[Host 2]

Kid and then him going the ran. You still just be like, I know, I'm sorry.

[Bijan Robinson]

I know. It was like I, I was with my family and they're just like, it's okay, it's okay.

[Host 1]

Like you had him on speakerphone.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

Family, parents around.

[Bijan Robinson]

I need you with this one.

[Host 1]

Just whisper the phone. I know, coach.

[Bijan Robinson]

That's what I was doing.

[Host 1]

Yeah. I'm so sorry, coach.

[Bijan Robinson]

Sorry, coach.

[Host 2]

What was the biggest thing like position coach and knowing like who they've mentored or coached?

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

What was the big pivotal thing for you?

[Bijan Robinson]

Was it that it was a position coach? Because you're just like, you're going to be with him your whole time. So I think. And even just talking to like other running backs, you know, before, before I got there and like Reggie Bush, like his position coach in college was like, that was his guy. Like he he said, this is the position coach is what's most important. Because if you don't agree with him or he doesn't agree with you, then you're not playing and he doesn't trust you. And then he talks to the head coach like he's the most important guy for yourself. So even hearing that, I was like, all right, so let me actually build a relationship. And then the crazy thing is nowadays in nil and stuff, bro, no relationships are being built. And then that's why you see so many transfers and so many kids going to other places because they're getting promised one thing and then they're not producing on the field. So after one year and not even after one year, after one spring semester, like they're leaving. And I'm like, bro, first of all, it looks bad in my opinion, but it's like you should have been building that relationship with a coach and, and knowing you can have that trust with him before you even get there. So you understand that when you're there, like you know what's going to come and you know what's about to happen beforehand. So I think that's kind of where college football is changing. And I get it. Like you got to make your money and stuff.

[Host 2]

Not thinking too much long term thinking like, well, can I get here now?

[Bijan Robinson]

Exactly.

[Host 2]

Did you ever get tempted by some pre Nil. Nil?

[Bijan Robinson]

I never did.

[Host 2]

Never.

[Bijan Robinson]

Not once?

[Host 2]

Not even. You don't say names. I'm just pre Nil.

[Host 1]

Nil.

[Host 2]

Yeah. Pre nil.

[Host 1]

They were part, they're not part sec yet.

[Bijan Robinson]

So I didn't have, I didn't have it. I didn't have an IO when I came.

[Host 2]

I know.

[Bijan Robinson]

So like even like the under the table stuff, like I, I, it just never came across any.

[Host 2]

Don't name names. Did anybody ever try under the table stuff?

[Bijan Robinson]

I think they tried, they tried with my coach, my high school coach. And he was like, nah, like, this isn't who like you, this is. You got the wrong kid. Like he's not going to come here off of begging or off of trying to get him with some money.

[Host 1]

Really.

[Bijan Robinson]

So he that that all got sent away.

[Host 2]

Arizona, kid, man.

[Bijan Robinson]

Arizona.

[Host 1]

Respect. Y top five do what? That's a top five football state, Taylor.

[Bijan Robinson]

In the country it is.

[Host 1]

K Freak.

[Bijan Robinson]

Come on, let's go.

[Host 1]

Where you from in Arizona?

[Bijan Robinson]

Tucson. Tucson, Arizona.

[Host 1]

Border country. U ofA give you any interest?

[Bijan Robinson]

U of 0%, bro. None. None. Like U of A. U of ASU? No.

[Host 1]

ASU over U of A though, as.

[Bijan Robinson]

You'Ll be over your back.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Bijan Robinson]

I like asu. Like, I feel like if ASU was. Was a consistently really good team, like, they would get everybody.

[Host 1]

Because the thing that's wild to me about ASU is, like, they have all the makings to have a good team. They have great weather, beautiful people there. There's a lot of nightlife. You can just bring, like, hey, yo, we can create something beautiful, and you'll have so much fun.

[Bijan Robinson]

That's what I'm trying to say.

[Host 1]

There's so much money in Phoenix.

[Bijan Robinson]

So much you have. And you have all these different areas, like sponsors that will sponsor you, but I don't know. It was never it.

[Host 1]

You talk about building relationships and how it's become way more transactional in college.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Coming to the NFL, this is truly where it's a transactional business. Like, you can. What's the phrase you use? You love me but don't trust me.

[Host 2]

Yeah. Yeah. I love you, but don't ever trust me.

[Host 1]

Right. That's the kind of the mindset of all these coaches. They want to build a relationship. At any point, if you're not doing your job, we'll see you later.

[Bijan Robinson]

No doubt.

[Host 1]

Do you. Are you aware of that and still continue to build relationships regardless?

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah, I'm definitely. I'm definitely aware of it. You know, I've seen it firsthand. Like, you know, guys have been here, and then next day, like, they're not here anymore. And, like, my freshman. Or not freshman year, my first year, last year, you know, just during rookie minicamp, like, I was with so many guys up to that point, and then when we start with a team, then a lot of them aren't here. And it was like. It was like a shock to me.

[Host 2]

I was like, it's crazy, right?

[Bijan Robinson]

And I just built a relationship with these kids, like, with these dudes, and then now they're not here no more, and it's like, okay, so now you kind of see, like, where the business is. And then even. Even, like, coaches, too. Next day they're here, one day they're not. And I'm like. Like, this whole time we've been gelling and. But I see, like. Like, that statement right there, I feel is true. But for me, I think it's still important to, you know, build a relationship with those coaches. Cause, you know, like, I was just telling him, like, lord willing, I could stay here my whole career, but say I'm not, and say those coaches are somewhere else. Like, you built those relationships, so, like, they trust you. So when you're somewhere else, and they're somewhere else, then they'll, like, vouch out for you and pick you up. Right? So that's why I think it's like, that's why I think you should keep the relationship taught the whole time.

[Host 2]

Talk us through your rookie year. I listened to your podcast you did on the Pivot, which was right before the draft. You do go the first round, which is awesome. And talk about that process, getting drafted in the first round and then kicking off your rookie year.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah, man. I mean, so. So during that process, like, it's a long process. So just from. From when I'm done with. With my last year, my junior year, and then up to the draft, like, those five months, five, six months are long. And it's. It's repetitive of talking to coaches, going. Doing combine training, doing interview training. Like, I'm doing so many things, and for me, like, I love to do other stuff, so. So I want to be an actor when I'm done playing football one day. And I've been doing, like, acting classes, but that's. Those acting classes been helping for the interview training because, like, it gets you comfortable and talking to coaches and gets you comfortable and being in different areas with a lot of people in one setting. So, like, me having to go through that was. Was a long process. But. And. And then on top of that, like, I was in the controversy of, should you take a running back in the top 10? Like, yeah, should you, you know. Yes. You know, he might have the talent. He might be the. The most talented, but, like, should you still do it? Should you invest in it? So I was, like, hearing all that type of stuff, too, and, like, it was. It was weird because, like, some days I'll be walking. Walking just on the street, and you see a TV in a restaurant, and it's like your face is the one that's up there on, like, should you do this? Should you do that? I'm like. And then that's the questions that I've been getting asked. So, like, that was, like, a. Definitely a different process for me. But I think when you do get drafted, like, that was. It's, like, the best feeling ever, obviously, and going to the draft, like, experiencing that, you know, if you have the opportunity to do that, I think you. You most definitely should as a player. But then when I got here, you know, that's when we started. Started rookie minicamp, and, like, that's what's about to happen right now here. And it's crazy. Like, that was a year ago, but, like, that was. I think that was like, a really great process for me. Rookie minicamp. Cause for me, like, yeah, I play more. I play running back, but I play other positions, too. Like, I play receiver, play slide. You can line me up anywhere. So, like, I really appreciate, you know, Arthur Smith for doing that to me. Because, you know, with him. With him doing that for me, like, now where I'm at, the game just, like, slowed down so much, like, instantly, because I'm learning so many different things.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Bijan Robinson]

From linebackers to coverages to everything, so. And then obviously with the season, like, yes, it was definitely a blessing of a season, you know, for myself. But even just learning, you know, how guys are, how coaches are, like, it was definitely a fun. A fun, fun time for me.

[Host 1]

Was that the hardest thing for you was the speed of the game at first, or what was the biggest culture shock for you, diving to the NFL your first couple of games?

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah. So it wasn't really the speed of the game. Cause dudes are a little faster than college, but I think it was more so, like, dudes are smarter in the league. So, like, you're not gonna see a lot of guys, like, miss their gaps. I gotta see a lot of guys under pursue. And dudes are always chasing the ball somewhere, somehow. But I think, you know, when you. When you get a grasp of it and understand it, then. Then y', all, you'll start to click. But when you find your rhythm, then. Then it's like you're playing college ball game.

[Host 2]

Yeah. When that camera angle came out, you're shifting around, and that shit was nasty.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah. And for me. So for me, like, in college, like, I would bring out the shifts and stuff sometimes, but, like, not a lot. But I think. I think now in the NFL, it gives me way more freedom to do that. Because dudes are coming from different angles in different areas. And you're always trying to get yards, but you're always trying to find a way to, like, make somebody miss. Because somebody's always right here. So I get to, like, obviously just slow a process down, and I'll feel a defender coming any which way. And then I know I have to do something real quick. Cause if I don't, like, they're gonna make a tackle. Yeah. So, like, breaking tackles for me is, like. It's a fun thing.

[Host 2]

Which is interesting.

[Host 1]

Breaking tackles is a fun thing. Yeah, I'd assume so. Absolutely.

[Host 2]

It's fascinating to hear him talk about it because it's like, clearly he's like, I've added more shift, shiftiness. To my game. But basically because the game's gotten faster, he's developed quicker.

[Host 1]

Right.

[Bijan Robinson]

There it is. Yeah, that's exactly it. So, like, because the game's gotten faster, like, I have to get faster in my process and say in your head.

[Host 1]

I'm gonna get faster and.

[Host 2]

Well, even his instincts, it ends up coming.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah, it's like. It's like you're in the. I don't even know how to explain it. If you could. If I. If I. If I could. It's like you're in a. Have you seen a John Wick?

[Host 2]

Oh, yeah, yeah, we have seen John Wick.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. So there's like the scene and like John Wick, too. And like, they were all surrounded him and he was just, like looking around, like, trying to find anything, but they were all attacking him. But like, that's kind of like what you're in when you're going up against.

[Host 2]

These and you're figuring it out.

[Bijan Robinson]

You're figuring it out.

[Host 1]

Well, just feeling one thing to the next.

[Bijan Robinson]

And at first it's fast, but then when it slows down, then it's like. Then that's when it gets dangerous.

[Host 2]

John Wick or Jason Bourne?

[Bijan Robinson]

John Wick.

[Host 1]

Have you seen the.

[Bijan Robinson]

Jason Bourne's Fire, though? I have. I have. I have seen them all. I haven't seen them all.

[Host 2]

It's like an argument, but.

[Bijan Robinson]

But okay. That's right. Okay. I can't say. I can't say that if I haven't seen them all.

[Host 2]

No, you can stand on business. I'm John Wick, too.

[Host 1]

Yeah, whatever you want.

[Host 2]

I'll just say to have your opinion.

[Host 1]

On busting with the boys.

[Host 2]

We're not going to argue with the boys.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Who would win? Yeah. In a straight fight.

[Bijan Robinson]

John Wick is like, never lost to me.

[Host 1]

He actually loses frequently.

[Bijan Robinson]

He does.

[Host 1]

He does.

[Bijan Robinson]

Frequently.

[Host 1]

Gets a lot of help, but he.

[Bijan Robinson]

He loses in a way that he looked like he won. Like, that's what he does. That's what he does. So that's.

[Host 1]

You got to go back and watch the Jason Bourne movies because he never actually gets his ass beat. There's not one scene he's like that tactical. He's always one step ahead of the game. John Wick. How many times in those movies, JP was he just. His ass was saved in the club. No, he didn't. The last movie, he's going up those damn stairs. Gets his ass kicked 17 times and gets his ass saved. It's a great movie, though.

[Bijan Robinson]

It's a great movie. It's A great movie.

[Host 2]

No, he didn't.

[Host 1]

You talk about, like, things clicking for you. At what point in the season, last year were you, like, okay, like, I'm officially finding my speed where I'm just a touch above everybody else.

[Bijan Robinson]

So that first game of the season, I, like, had this touchdown. My first touchdown. Like, I made this move and broke a couple tackles. At that point, I was like, oh, shoot. Like, I could do this, like, at a high level. Fires me in so much. But then the second game, we played the packers, and, like, I walked on the field and obviously, like, God gifted me with talent and everything. But then it's like, you walk on the field and, like, everything's just slowing down. Like, it's, like, slow motion, and, like, I'm. I'm in the huddle, and when I, like, break the huddle, it's like I'm backing up, and they're, like, moving slow. It's like some. It's insane, bruh. So when I. When the ball snaps, like, I'm anticipating everything, like, quick, quick. And, I mean, that was an awesome game, but it was just like the. And I never even explained this, but it was just, like, the process of, like, what I was processing during that game and then the rest of the season, it was. It was something that, like, I was like, man, this is. This is pretty cool. And obviously, like, you got to watch a lot of film and. Yeah, that's all that film study and everything like that, to anticipate everything, but actually, like, feeling it and seeing it that fast.

[Host 2]

It was pretty dope last year, like, on the outside looking in. I want to say it was maybe the middle of the year. Your workload would shift around, and I feel like Coach Smith would get questioned about it and wouldn't say too much about anything happening behind the scenes or wouldn't really tip off anything that's going on. Is there anything that was happening in the middle of the year to where your workload was shifting or to where you're hearing the same stuff, the external noise and whatever conversations you're having with Coach Smith behind closed doors, like, you know, people who are curious about what was going down last year? Is there any insight to that?

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah, so it was more so of me hearing the external noise and, like, you know, fantasy football is a big thing. It's so, like, I'm.

[Host 2]

I had you. I had you.

[Bijan Robinson]

So, like, a lot of people had me on their fantasy team, so we would get a lot of.

[Host 2]

Don't check your dms. I'm just kidding.

[Bijan Robinson]

But, yeah, like, during the middle of the season, you know, so. So Coach Smith was, you know, trying to, you know, make me comfortable in the game and make me comfortable with. With situations. And, you know, he was just, you know, trying to protect me and do whatever he could, like. Because what coachman didn't want to do was. Was Derrick Henry me year one, like, 28 carries, 25 carries. Like, you're taking all this workload year one, because he was trying to, like, gradually get me. Get me ready to eventually do all that type of stuff, but probably from all over the field, you're right. And like, at the beginning of the season, like those first five games, like, it was. I was like, rolling. And then like, in that middle of the season, it was more so. Okay, let's like, let's get them. Let's get them back to, like, gradually kind of, you know, getting them right.

[Host 2]

Were you injured? Was there stuff going on towards, like, hey, we want to. Okay, I know we're picking up your workload. Like, let's kind of maybe mitigate some of the reps in the middle of the year and start to make a run at the end of the year.

[Bijan Robinson]

So. Yeah, but it was that. But it wasn't like, because of the injury. And at the same time, like, my workload was becoming excessive. And, you know, I was running go routes, I was motioning. I was doing all types of stuff, running the football, blocking in on third down. And you know, for me, like, we have Tyler Algier. He's the other running back. He's super good. And, you know, we played off each other really well, which obviously helped both of us a lot. But it was more so, like, doing all those extra things to be the decoy for the defense. Cause if I go in motion, then.

[Host 2]

That would everybody's antennas up.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah. Then it would shift on the defense and it could open somebody else up. So that was where his thinking was. And yeah, my workload wasn't a lot. It would decrease in terms of getting carries and stuff. But he was just trying to, you know, gradually get me right in different situations. Because obviously, like, towards the end of the season, then it started picking up again. But it was just that, like, middle point of the season, that's where his. That's where his mind was at.

[Host 2]

All right now, are you guys talking through this while it's all going down as well?

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah, like, we're all. We were always on the same page. Yeah, we were always on the same page. Obviously everybody else didn't agree with it, but we always knew, you know, what the plan was. And he told me what the plan was before the season even started, and I was perfectly okay with it, but. And everybody was. But I mean, as you start getting questions from the media and as you start going on social media, top 10, like, there it is. Yeah, there it is. And then you have. You have fantasy, you know, players, you know, on social media, like, what's going on? What's happening? Like, so it all tie it in. But we were always, like, on the same page. And then towards the end of the season, that's when everything started to pick back up. Yeah.

[Host 1]

When you. When this is all going down and, like, you're getting this heavy workload, then towards the. Like, the middle lull. Yeah, everyone's starting to ask questions. At any point, did you want to be like, hey, this is part of the plan. Did you ever want to speak up for that situation? Or you just kind of had to sit back and let the noise be noise?

[Bijan Robinson]

I just kind of sat back and let. Let the noise be noise. And, you know, yeah, I would get media questions from the media, and. And I was just kind of telling, like. Like, you just said, like, you know, this is all part of the process. You know, this is all in God's plan. Like, which it was like. And just for me, just understanding mentally and physically where. Where I was at. But then, you know, when. When. When things did start, you know, picking up, then. Then we saw the end. The vision of it. But that middle, like, three, four weeks, it was like, yeah, everybody's. What's going on? Yeah, like, what's happening? And. But we. We knew the whole time, like, where we were going with it.

[Host 2]

What kind of jump do you see yourself making going into year two? Like, what are your. What are your goals and aspirations for Bijon Robinson?

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah, I mean, obviously, bro, like, to. To elevate as a teammate. So I want to be, like, I want to lead by example in a way that, you know, everybody will be on the same page. You know what I'm doing. And, you know, for me, I think it was really good to have, you know, the vets that we did have last year, because I learned so much from them. Like, even, like, Calais Campbell, like, bro, like, he's ultimate.

[Host 2]

He's got that voice, too.

[Bijan Robinson]

He's got that voice.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Bijan Robinson]

He would just sit down with me. Like, he sat down with me at the end of the season, and he was like, yo, B, like, you can really be the best running back in the NFL for a long time, bro. And he was saying. But you shouldn't go in every day saying that. Like, you obviously are very humble, but you should. You should just do it by your work and just show everybody. Because for me, like, I'm big with finishing, so, like, after a run, I'll finish all the way to the end zone. Sometimes coaches hate that, but, you know, my coaches, like, are cool. Like, they love it because it shows everybody else. Like, that's what we got to do. And, you know, for me, I think just me doing that type of stuff in practice and, you know, even just asking questions to other players on what their goals are and where they want to see each other. Because obviously, I think as a team, you know, we want to win the super bowl. Like. Like. But that's what everybody says. Like, everybody's like, we want to win the Super Bowl. We won the Super Bowl. But it's like, what are you going to do, you know, as a team, you know, when nobody's watching? And, you know, I think team dinners, like, stuff like that are always a big thing because you build so much chemistry. And that's why I appreciate, like, even Kirk, because we be out there, you know, grinding every single day on offense, like, trying to just build the most chemistry. Because obviously, when we're on the field, then that's what. What we're trying to do is be great. And then for me, like, yeah, obviously I have these goals that I. That I set for myself, and I set astronomical goals. Like, I think I even said an interview that I want to get 2,000 yards, but, like, it wasn't me saying that. It was just the goal I have to set for myself. Because obviously, like, we have Tyler Algeria. Like, we have, you know, that one, two punch, and I just want us to just kill the.

[Host 2]

Yeah, you're not saying it to diminish anything else. You're saying, like, yeah, I'm trying to get 2k facts.

[Bijan Robinson]

Facts. So, like, you can take that and.

[Host 1]

Run with that quite a bit.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah, yeah.

[Host 1]

With. You brought up Kirk Cousins. Like, what was your reaction when Atlanta signed Kirk? And how has your relationship grown since you've met him?

[Bijan Robinson]

Man, I mean, I was happy, man. I was happy, you know, just because, like, yeah, I mean, I feel like he is a top 10 quarterback. But, you know, I think because, you know, with his faith, just how good of a dude he is to other people, to his teammates. That's why I was excited. I knew he can come in here and gel right away with all of us, because I think the cool thing that Terry obviously raheem Arthur Blank, Arthur Smith. What they all did is they got really talented dudes, but they got really good dudes at the same time. And obviously he's a good dude. So I think he would come in here and you know, immediately like Joe with the team. And that's, that's really what he did. And I mean, our relationship is strong already and you know, just having talks with him and understanding like, where his, his vision is and you know, where he's coming from and how, you know, he wants everybody on the offense to, you know, have the best seasons that they've ever had. Like, that's, that's huge for a quarterback coming in because obviously, you know, when you're a quarterback, like, you know, you want that like, me, me, me type of glory, but with him, it's like it's all of us and we're all going to eat in this office.

[Host 2]

He's a worker too. Like the tempo and everything else.

[Bijan Robinson]

Even at meeting, meetings, like, like he's telling you exactly how he, how he sees it, how he wants it, how it should be. And I mean, I never had that. So like having that and even like in, in practice, like, he, he'd be like, this is where, where it should go. This is where how I, how I see it. And he, he hits it there every time and it's like, this is the game changer right here.

[Host 1]

So I've seen your facial expression too, about Kirk too.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah, it's exciting.

[Host 1]

You seen Kurt cochains yet?

[Bijan Robinson]

Like the chain?

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Bijan Robinson]

You seen.

[Host 1]

Is his chains around? No. No. Does he have a chain in his locker?

[Host 2]

His alternate, does he have a chain?

[Host 1]

That thing came out yet?

[Bijan Robinson]

Not yet.

[Host 1]

Save it for the fall.

[Bijan Robinson]

Save for the fall.

[Host 1]

I like that.

[Host 2]

I can't wait to put a chain on there. You know what, what else do we have for Bijan?

[Host 1]

I got you. I. I got one.

[Host 2]

Hey. The Bijan Mustardson. The Mustard. Let's talk about the brand.

[Bijan Robinson]

There it is.

[Host 2]

Of the Mustard.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah. So the Mustard came out like two years ago. And you know, it was all, it was all from like an idea of, of two guys, David and Craig. They're the other owners of the Mustard too. And they came with this like whole presentation of like what it is gonna become, like what it should become. This is before anything and we're like in a topgolf, like meeting room. So they, they, they came with it. And at first I was like, it's kind of cheesy, low key. Like, you know, this is a little weird, but like they had like, billboards and like, murals, and they had like, it's selling in stores. And I was like, yeah, this sounds really good, but I mean, I just don't know how it's gonna be.

[Host 2]

So, like, is it gonna sell?

[Bijan Robinson]

It's gonna sell. Yeah. So the two months later it came out in that summer, and you know, it. It was like a big thing, like the PR and everything. And people were like, like, this dude has his own mustard. Like, that's kind of where it was at first. And so people started buying it online. And then like a whole bunch of people. Like, we. We saw. We saw order sell from like a little bit to like, it just skyrocketed out of the blue. And so we, like, made merch. We made all types of stuff. And I think the first six months it was out and it was during that football season, it was like the highest selling condiment in the US What?

[Host 2]

Yo, congrats on that.

[Bijan Robinson]

That's pretty cool.

[Host 1]

That's a big game, too. There's some big dogs in that game. Heinz.

[Bijan Robinson]

Heinz.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

You got some big dogs running in the condiment section.

[Bijan Robinson]

And it's crazy because, you know, even. Even in, like, the grocery stores, like in. In Austin, obviously we're trying to get it across the country and, and every grocery store, but like, every week you'll go to the grocery store and it's gone. And then you'll have every other condiment still there. And they're just like, keep reloading it. So, and it's cool because, I mean, people, like, when they get the mustard, like, they'll like, take a picture with it. Like, they're like, happy about it. Like, you don't. You're not going to Heinz, you know, ketchup or mustard, like, and be like.

[Host 1]

They settle for Heinz, you know, and.

[Bijan Robinson]

It'S like, it's not cool.

[Host 1]

But Hines family about to be after your ass.

[Bijan Robinson]

No offense.

[Host 2]

They about to buy it up.

[Host 1]

Maybe they probably would if they did.

[Bijan Robinson]

Like, obviously that's the end. Like, somebody you're open for business. We are.

[Host 2]

Have you done anything creative marketing wise yourself outside of, like, marketing planes? Like, right now I'm thinking to myself, mustard's pretty creative. He needs to have the mustard. Like, you know, somebody. One of the equipment guys has in a bag, but he has it out on the field. Not out on the field, but on the sideline, right? And after he scores, it's like he jogs over to the sideline, just takes a shot of the mustard. Which. That right there is just. I mean, so there you go, there's your advertising.

[Bijan Robinson]

That's such a good idea.

[Host 2]

That's a water bottle. Yeah. If you have water in just a bottle, you just go right back, back. It's like Marshawn eating the skittles.

[Bijan Robinson]

That's matter of fact. Like, that one's free. We've done like marketing stuff obviously with the like commercials and stuff. But that one right there, like after a touchdown and like somebody just throw it in the. Like throw it from the crowd. Like, throw it at me. You know, we can do a lot with it.

[Host 2]

You can go to the sideline. Yeah. Get a couple throw to the fans and let them do it.

[Bijan Robinson]

Let them do it, bro.

[Host 1]

Keep it under the goalpost. A hot dog. And the mustard. Score. Touchdown. Put the mustard on top.

[Host 2]

That'll probably be a fine though.

[Host 1]

That's all right.

[Host 2]

You're right. That one's on me.

[Bijan Robinson]

That's it. You eat that.

[Host 1]

That's nothing.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

That's a long term play.

[Host 2]

You could do some.

[Bijan Robinson]

You can do some. Yeah.

[Host 1]

That's where we got to 100. Has to have the design of your mustard.

[Bijan Robinson]

And then we have like the mascot. Like we have the mustard mascot. So like. Yeah, so it'll be at all the games. It's me. I want to show you on my phone. Like, yeah, but yeah, he's just at all the games. Like at Falcons games, like it's in the stadium for real. At Texas games, like, they're just walking around just. And it's a big attraction. Like, it's pretty cool.

[Host 1]

I can't wait for you to negotiate your second contract with Arthur Blake. Your mustard comes in. You're going to do this. This is the only condiment you're allowed to have in there. And he just sits there and twiddles his mustache. Agrees.

[Bijan Robinson]

Qu.

[Host 1]

Confidently shakes your hand.

[Bijan Robinson]

No doubt about it, dude.

[Host 1]

I know we're about to slow this thing down a little bit, but. Ncaa, did you ever play the game?

[Bijan Robinson]

NCAA loved it.

[Host 1]

Loved it.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yep.

[Host 1]

How heartbroken are you that you're not going to ever be at the game?

[Bijan Robinson]

Very much so.

[Host 1]

Just miss that time.

[Host 2]

He will be though.

[Bijan Robinson]

That be. That'd be cool. But I'm heartbroken.

[Host 1]

I bet, dude.

[Bijan Robinson]

Like I was three years, two years off. Two years off.

[Host 1]

I hated to bring that up, but it is coming out really soon.

[Bijan Robinson]

It is.

[Host 1]

And so when it comes out, you come.

[Bijan Robinson]

You're going to play July.

[Host 1]

July, yeah. Like middle of July. They're like announcing everything. I think next week or something.

[Bijan Robinson]

I'm going be stuck on that Game.

[Host 2]

You a gamer?

[Bijan Robinson]

I'm a gamer.

[Host 2]

What's your game? What?

[Bijan Robinson]

I'm a sports gamer.

[Host 1]

Sports gamer and an actor, dude. It's a combo.

[Bijan Robinson]

There it is. So, like, I love. I love FIFA. I love, like, I love 2K Madden. I'm okay at, but, like, UFC, like, that's my stuff right there.

[Host 2]

Okay. So would you say you're the best gamer in the locker room?

[Bijan Robinson]

Absolutely not. There's a couple dudes that are actual, like, real, like, so, like, coup. He's. He's unbelievable. At FIFA.

[Host 1]

You can't count kickers. They have more time than everybody else to do what they want.

[Bijan Robinson]

That is. That is. That is true. Yeah, that is true. Even. Even in college, like, the kickers were just, like. Just way better than me for. For no reason. And I was like, come on, man. All the games, ping pong, they had it all.

[Host 1]

Yeah, we had kickers in college that it was like, not their day to kick. So I'd be like, walking out to practice and they'd be like, oh, we're going to the movies. Like, God damn it.

[Host 2]

It was the worst.

[Host 1]

They were going to the movies. Yeah. We didn't win a whole lot of games.

[Host 2]

But Kern and who was Ryan, suck up, suck up. Ryan, suck up. And Kern would be breaking down, like, we're in meetings and they'd be breaking down golf courses. They just be planning out golf trips.

[Host 1]

And breaking down golf game in the locker room.

[Host 2]

We're going like, we have a break to go to the bathroom and stuff. You kind of. You go in like, hey, what are you guys doing? They're, like, literally breaking. They got, like, stapled papers and everything. Breaking down golf courses, bro.

[Bijan Robinson]

Speaking of golf, like, who's your favorite golfer?

[Host 2]

Tiger Woods.

[Bijan Robinson]

All right.

[Host 2]

I'm just kidding. I don't watch enough.

[Host 1]

Max Homo.

[Bijan Robinson]

Okay.

[Host 1]

Oh, yeah, that's my. That's my number one.

[Host 2]

He's been on the pot. He's one of the ones.

[Bijan Robinson]

Y' all like Scotty Scheffler?

[Host 1]

Sure. Yeah.

[Host 2]

Just kind of came on. He kind of came onto the scene this year.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Big fan of golf.

[Bijan Robinson]

I'm not golf, but I watch it and I played it.

[Host 1]

You watch golf?

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

For real? You have it on and you're like. You're stuck to the TV watching.

[Bijan Robinson]

I watch it. Yeah, I watch it.

[Host 1]

Get behind that, man.

[Host 2]

He said, hey, I play it on.

[Bijan Robinson]

PlayStation and I'll play it on my head. That's kind of why I watch it.

[Host 2]

Are you. Can you hoop?

[Bijan Robinson]

No.

[Host 1]

All right. He has a flaw. That's good. We needed that.

[Bijan Robinson]

I know. I even see her in lie.

[Host 2]

I was going to get. I was going to get him going. Yeah. I mean we asked Coach Raw this like.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yep.

[Host 2]

Who's got the best athletes, NFL or NBA?

[Bijan Robinson]

NFL.

[Host 2]

Yeah. I think there's no question. Like, you think there's NBA players that could play?

[Bijan Robinson]

No, no NBA player can play NFL. But no NFL player can play in the NBA.

[Host 1]

Oh, you're drawing a line down the middle. There's no way to go both.

[Bijan Robinson]

I don't think so.

[Host 1]

Like, you know who Devin Funches is now?

[Bijan Robinson]

Jp that's okay. But that's awesome.

[Host 1]

Like, that's awesome for us.

[Bijan Robinson]

One in a million. Like, in a lot of guys.

[Host 1]

Michigan guy too. Talking all nasty about Michigan guys. Here we are. That's called. That's a callback. That's called a callback.

[Bijan Robinson]

Last Michigan. Great play.

[Host 1]

Corm.

[Bijan Robinson]

No, I'm talking about an NBA.

[Host 1]

I mean, I don't watch basketball. I actually, I focus on football. Do your football offensive line. We got 14 of them in the league. That's more than any other college. That being said, Atlanta Falcons offensive line. Talk to me how awesome Jake Matthews is. Is he the longest tenured Falcon?

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah, it's him.

[Host 1]

Is he just.

[Bijan Robinson]

Is it Grady? It is him. Yeah. Yeah.

[Host 1]

Is Jake. Talk to me about Jake's personality. See, like your classic offensive lineman keeps to himself.

[Bijan Robinson]

No, no, no. He's got to like open. Like when he opens up to you. Like, like, Jake's my dog.

[Host 1]

Yeah, I bet.

[Bijan Robinson]

That's my dude, man. I mean, obviously all five of them are. I mean, the whole office line room is like super dope. But like when you meet Jake, I mean, when you know Jake, he's just like the most laid back, chill dude. I mean, talks about everything, can talk about everything. And he's still funny. Like, he still has that funny personality side to him. That's my dude, man. Like for. For a vet. Like, that's the right one to have.

[Host 1]

Can you do me a favor? We have a segment called Tear talk.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

And tear talk is basically a ranking. Whatever, whatever the topic is. Can you tear talk me your three favorite players on the Atlanta Falcons?

[Bijan Robinson]

Okay. I feel like that's like a trick question.

[Host 1]

You can give an honorable mention.

[Host 2]

It's not a trick question. You just got to answer. It's going to suck for to hear this.

[Bijan Robinson]

Man. I love everybody.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Start at 3. Start at 3.

[Bijan Robinson]

Start at three.

[Host 2]

If there's an honorable mention, go ahead and throw a few in there if you need to.

[Host 1]

You take A minute, too. We got. We got time.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah, baby. Bet. So number three, I'm g. Have to say Matthew Berger. No, no, no. I'm. Put him at.

[Host 1]

Sorry, Matt. That's got to be tough, brother.

[Bijan Robinson]

Okay, I'm g. Say Zach. Zach Harrison, number three. Matthew Berger on number two. And then Tyler Algier, number one.

[Host 1]

No honorable mention.

[Bijan Robinson]

Honorable mention.

[Host 2]

The rest of the team.

[Bijan Robinson]

The rest of the team. I'm gonna say Liam. He's our long snapper. That's a fire dude. Fire dude. Or Jesse Bates.

[Host 1]

I find it very interesting Jake Matthews did not make that after talking so nicely.

[Bijan Robinson]

I'm a team guy. I am. I am. Like, I'm close to everybody.

[Host 2]

How about your top three running backs in the NFL right now? And if you could give a little synopsis on what makes them great.

[Bijan Robinson]

All right, then I'm. Well, my first one, number one is Chris McCaffrey. Just because, like, you know, his. His stop and start is incredible. And, you know, I watch his game so much. Like, I compare my game to his just the most because I feel like we do the most similar stuff. So I'm say him, and then I'm gonna say Breece hall is the other one.

[Host 2]

Okay.

[Bijan Robinson]

Just because, like, his patience, how he, you know, invades breaking tackles, how he can. He still has that long speed. He's the other one. And then my third, I might have to go with. I'm gonna have to go with who? Probably Saquon. Saquon. I mean, yeah, I know, like, his situation's been tough, but, like, I think just raw. Just gifted talent for a running back. I think he got that. And his, like, lateral movement, how he can bend and make cuts still, like, of how big he is, like, I think he's. He's the other one.

[Host 2]

So it's a solid list.

[Host 1]

That's a good list.

[Bijan Robinson]

I'm gonna say those three.

[Host 1]

That's a good list.

[Bijan Robinson]

Put myself in there.

[Host 2]

The boy. The boy the ended, man.

[Host 1]

I know. I was thinking that, too, but I didn't want to be such a Homer Henry.

[Bijan Robinson]

Ah, see, actually, I mean, him in.

[Host 2]

His prime, like, you know, he's fine.

[Bijan Robinson]

He's hall of Famer.

[Host 1]

Yeah, he's hall of Famer.

[Bijan Robinson]

He hall of Famer. Yeah, most definitely. He had two K. Yeah, he did.

[Host 2]

Behind this offensive line.

[Host 1]

I told my ACL that year.

[Bijan Robinson]

Let's go.

[Host 1]

Five games. What's up?

[Bijan Robinson]

Come on.

[Host 1]

I'll take that. Come on. I do take credit for that, though.

[Bijan Robinson]

Who's y'? All? Who's Yalls top three? Just Podcasters.

[Host 1]

Yeah, matter of fact, yeah, podcasters.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Rogan's one.

[Bijan Robinson]

But what makes him the one?

[Host 1]

Like his ultimate curiosity.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

He's so present. He's so. His ability to be so curious about the subject at hand.

[Bijan Robinson]

Okay.

[Host 1]

And be able to break that down and have information about it is. I think that's a. That's a one of one talent in his range.

[Host 2]

I mean, he can literally crazy range anybody on. And he does his. He does his prep work. He's.

[Host 1]

We broke our own rule.

[Bijan Robinson]

What.

[Host 2]

What was that?

[Host 1]

We're supposed to go three first, but Rogan is. He's got to.

[Host 2]

Yeah, okay.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah, yeah. Rogan. God. What about Folsoon? Like, yeah, those are my dogs.

[Host 1]

Those guys are awesome. I don't know about, like, what's the category that we're talking about when it comes to podcasts? Like.

[Bijan Robinson]

Okay, okay, just whatever then.

[Host 1]

Oh, I'm talking about there's like so many podcasts and the Nelk boys have a massive audience. They do a great job and their content is amazing.

[Bijan Robinson]

Gotcha.

[Host 1]

But are we talking about their interviews, how they approach the interview, those types of things? Because then I think it does change a little bit because their ma. Their audience is insane.

[Bijan Robinson]

Okay.

[Host 1]

And those guys, they are good dudes.

[Bijan Robinson]

Then I would say just like interviews.

[Host 1]

Interviews just be the interview.

[Host 2]

I would say opening up.

[Bijan Robinson]

Dax Shepard, as you heard of him. Okay.

[Host 2]

Armchair quarterback.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yep.

[Host 2]

He's our armchair expert. He's really good.

[Bijan Robinson]

Okay.

[Host 2]

Man. Who I found myself listening to a lot. I mean, Theo Vaughn's up there. I found myself going.

[Host 1]

He's so funny.

[Host 2]

And I feel like he's developed over time too. He's a lot more comedy in the start because obviously he's a comedian.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

But I feel like he's starting to get. He's starting to create a range and a variety for himself where he's handling himself well in all these conversations.

[Bijan Robinson]

I like that dude. Isn't he, like, in Atlanta?

[Host 1]

No, he's in Nashville.

[Host 2]

Yeah, Nashville.

[Bijan Robinson]

Nashville.

[Host 2]

I think he's supposed to sign between Nashville. Maybe la. I'm not sure.

[Host 1]

Okay. He was doing the pod with Shop Right. For a minute.

[Host 2]

Yeah. But, yeah, we're doing that. That's a solid three. You got Rogan, Theo Vaughn, and armchair expert Shepard.

[Host 1]

Yeah. Okay. I'll co sign that. I've never seen Armchair Expert one time, but I'll co sign it.

[Bijan Robinson]

Well, who.

[Host 2]

What's another. What's one?

[Host 1]

I'm trying to think.

[Host 2]

Because Scholes has a really good one.

[Host 1]

Yeah. But I've seen. I'VE seen his clips. I've never really watched the show. I think he's really good. Yeah, it's hard.

[Bijan Robinson]

I know there's something.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Like, I don't digest a whole lot.

[Host 2]

I mean, and that's based on, like, what I listen to. Like, we can't. We can't not talk about the boys. Pardon my take. Pmt. They're, like, the number one sports pod.

[Bijan Robinson]

Okay.

[Host 2]

They have been for a long time. Kelsey brothers have a great pod.

[Bijan Robinson]

That's a good one.

[Host 1]

Yeah, they're massive.

[Host 2]

Spin chickles. All Barcelona. Everybody at Barcelona. All the bar so far.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

PMT probably is like. They would probably be up there with Rogan. They'd probably be two.

[Host 2]

Yeah. I mean, as far as they're being at the top for as long. As long as they have the ability.

[Host 1]

To play off each other, having the same sense of humor, like, they do a great job.

[Bijan Robinson]

Dope.

[Host 2]

Yeah, but that. That's. There you go.

[Host 1]

There's.

[Host 2]

There's your top. Whatever.

[Host 1]

However, top 26 right there. We just get to you. That was a good.

[Bijan Robinson]

Top 26. All good.

[Host 2]

Who's your top left tackles?

[Bijan Robinson]

Oh, okay.

[Host 1]

My top left tackles. Trent Williams is one. Easy above and beyond.

[Bijan Robinson]

He a dog, man. The best one.

[Host 1]

Yeah, he is the best one. I wish I had a list to look at, because I'm trying to go through them.

[Bijan Robinson]

It's okay. I mean, we still got Jake Matthews.

[Host 2]

No.

[Host 1]

Nothing. Seattle. So that's West. Tunsil's probably in there. Yeah. I'm just trying to run through it all because, like, I think Jake's great. I think. Who's Houston Tunsil. Houston is Tunil.

[Bijan Robinson]

Okay. That's.

[Host 1]

He's nasty. Who's Saints? They got nobody. Well, no disrespect. I'm just trying to think of names. Yeah. Let me do. I'll do Trent Tunel. Let me get Dion Dawkins for three. Honorable mention to our boy Jake Matthews. I still hold a lot of animosity towards him.

[Host 2]

Yeah. Getting the gun.

[Host 1]

Yeah. We were sitting, like, in a room outside of Radio City, and we kind of, like, started talking because we were both doing the, you know.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

Top tackles in the Drive, like, kind of sizing each other up a little bit, but, like, being respectful at the same time. Kind of both doing the uncomfortable thing together. And so I was like, hey, where do you want to go? And he's like, honestly, he kind of looks around as if somebody's actually listening to us for tackles. He's like, atlanta would be sick. I was like, dude, same and then that Monday before the draft, Atlanta flew to me, and they're like, if you're there at 6, be ready. And I'm like, I'll be there. I will be there, so be ready. Six comes around. I'm, like, fired up, and the phone starts ringing on Jake Matthews table, and he's, like, two tables away from me, too. His family started celebrating. I was so mad. I was so tight, because that's where I wanted to go. Yeah, I was like, ATL sick. Flower branch. I came down here, checked it out.

[Bijan Robinson]

No doubt.

[Host 1]

The Arthur Blank was kind of dope, too. It's fire a couple guys. Not himself personally. I made the correct phone calls to get things done.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah.

[Host 1]

And I respect that if you're able to get away with that. And so for me, I was like, yeah, that'd be kind of sick. And then Titans called me, and I was mad about that because they had two tackles. I was mad as hell about it.

[Bijan Robinson]

Wait, so you're with Arthur Smith?

[Host 1]

Oh, yeah, That's. That's our guy.

[Host 2]

He was one of the boys, man.

[Host 1]

He was a quality control guy at the time. When I first got there, yeah. We would do these, like, pursuit drills where they would, like, hold up balls in the corner of the end zones, and we would just run and try to punch the ball out, and I would literally beat the outer. I would run up, I would tackle him to the ground, start punching the ball, bro.

[Bijan Robinson]

The thing I love about him, though, is, like, obviously he's a great coach and, like, we built a relationship, but, like, bro, his dark comedy, bro, is hilarious. Like, if you're, like, a woosp or like, something like that, bro, you can't handle, like, Coach Smith because, like, he'll joke with you, and it's hilarious. Quick, quick. It's hilarious, bro.

[Host 2]

Like, he's got good group chat humor as well.

[Bijan Robinson]

He does. He does. Oh, my gosh. Like, right? He put. He put us in a group chat, some of us office players, and just send the most, like, crazy things. But, like, it was so funny. It was so funny. And I mean, that. That. That's like, man, he can definitely, like, build relationship with, like, any player just off his comedy. Because, I mean, that dude was hilarious, bro.

[Host 1]

I love that you just added one more, though. Top three coaches you've ever had.

[Bijan Robinson]

Top three coaches.

[Host 1]

This is. This has been a. A fun transition, I guess.

[Host 2]

Yeah.

[Bijan Robinson]

Like, ever in my life.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Bijan Robinson]

All right, well, number one, I'm gonna have to go with my high school coach, Coach Bennet. Dennis Benet. He. He's kind of like Coach Smith just off, like. Like, he's very. He's. He's like the greatest coach in Arizona, like, history.

[Host 1]

High school coach Charlie Ragel. But, yeah, go ahead.

[Bijan Robinson]

All right. Just arguing about just saying whatever, but, you know, even. Even just him like, developing, like, help develop me. Me to become, like, a. A respectable man and just like, be a great kid. He was that guy. But then number two, I'm have to go. Coach choice. Tashar choice. He was my coach at Texas. Running back coach at Texas. I mean, like, bro, his energy is, like, awesome. Like, I mean, he brought. He brought it every day. Every day. And then watch. I bet at the end of all this, like, Raheem's gonna be my number one. But I'm. I'm gonna say he's already like, damn, they're up there, bro. Like, Raheem is.

[Host 2]

Yo, he's fun.

[Bijan Robinson]

I had it for a month, and he's already like, that guy. I mean, just his presence and like, obviously, like, he. He's going to coach you, like, and get everything out of you, but he's going to do it with you. Like, you be seeing him on the field, like, in drills, like, in the drill, and I'm like, I just never had a coach like that before.

[Host 1]

That's awesome.

[Bijan Robinson]

And then even my coach, Petrie, he's. I guess he'd be like my number three. He's my running back coach now and, like, my dog for life. Love that. No doubt.

[Host 2]

I hear. I got a. I have a question. People would assume that a cat like yourself, five star recruit, best, you know, drafted top 10. You're the man even currently, that somebody like you wouldn't have faced a lot of adversity. What are one of the more trying times you've had in your career as a football player?

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah, I mean, well, I faced a lot. I saw. For me, I think I faced a lot of adversity just going to Texas and not having a winning team, like, when we lose, like, a lot of it would be on. On me. And, you know, like, we would go 8 and 5 and then it would be like 9 and 4 or something like that. Like, that's a bad season, like, Texas. And for me, being like, the leader of the team, like, who people watch, like, you know, it was the star of the guy. Yeah, it was. It was hard, like, and sometimes I would catch myself, like, going to Twitter and seeing what people would say and.

[Host 2]

Type in your name.

[Host 1]

You shouldn't.

[Bijan Robinson]

You know, you shouldn't. I'm like, I Should not be doing this, but, like, and I'm glad I did it then because obviously I trickled out and now I don't care. Like, I don't care what people think. But, like, then it was like, all right, what's happening? Like, what did I do? What's the small mess up that I did to make this loss?

[Host 2]

I kind of had a nice game. Let's see what people, you know.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Host 2]

Like, damn, we lost.

[Bijan Robinson]

But I had a nice game. But I still want to see, like, what. So it's like all that kind of stuff was. Was a learning lesson for me, but it would be like, more adversity of, like, trying to get teammates on the same page as you. And sometimes, like, teammates went to. Went to the school because of just the name. Like, they weren't invested in the play. Like, they just went because they wanted to go to frat parties and say, oh, I'm a football player. Like, that's all. And I was like, that's cool. But I don't think you're really getting nothing out of it by doing that. Like, wouldn't you want to be a great player, then do it? Like, I just didn't know where their minds were.

[Host 2]

Like, priorities are messed up.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah, they're messed up backwards. Yep. And then even, you know, even here, like, man, this team is so tight. Like, we're so close and like, just some of those heartbreaking, like, losses from last year, like, it was, you know, really hard because obviously, like, those are the ones that you want and those are the wins that you want. But you know, with the NFL, like, we. We would put ourselves in. In some situations where it was just hard to come out of. From. From some of those games. And then it would end up in a two point loss, three point loss. And it's just like, we know if we won that game, like, we would be, like, easily in the playoffs. But it's like those little things that I had to learn from and come over because I think, you know, God plans everything. You know, you have a setback for huge setups for everything. So, like, that's where the. That's where the setup really is, and that's where we're at now. And I feel like where we're at now is where the setup is. Is happening.

[Host 2]

Yeah. So, man, we appreciate you coming on. Yeah. You can tell that you love ball. Like, you love being a good teammate. You care, which is going to take you a long way. Like, you know, there's there.

[Bijan Robinson]

You.

[Host 2]

You. You've probably seen it already. There's just guys in the league that, you know, they don't take losses hard. They don't see it that way. They don't come in the next day at work and you're just like, man, why don't you care about this? The same way I feel like I'm caring about this.

[Bijan Robinson]

No doubt, no doubt.

[Host 2]

But you can tell you love ball, man, and we appreciate you coming on, man.

[Bijan Robinson]

Thanks for having me, man. This is. This is fire.

[Host 1]

This is awesome, man. We do appreciate it.

[Bijan Robinson]

No doubt.

[Host 2]

Hey, the. The. The mustard move. Okay?

[Bijan Robinson]

I'm gonna send you all. I'm gonna send you a hell of a mustard, though.

[Host 2]

Yes.

[Bijan Robinson]

Address. Give me, like, a care pack package.

[Host 2]

And I'll show you the technique and everything.

[Bijan Robinson]

Please do. Now, there is a video. There's videos of dudes just, like, going crazy with it, telling you.

[Host 1]

Yeah.

[Bijan Robinson]

I'm like, that's insane. I would never do that after touchdown.

[Host 2]

You will after touchdown. Yeah. You got.

[Bijan Robinson]

Yeah.

[Host 2]

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[Bijan Robinson]

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[Host 2]

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[Bijan Robinson]

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[Bijan Robinson]

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[Host 2]

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[Bijan Robinson]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.