The first message Bijan Robinson ever sent Drake London was about a jersey number. After the Atlanta Falcons took Robinson eighth overall in 2023, he found that the No. 5 he wore at Texas already belonged to London, who the team had picked at the same spot one year earlier.
Robinson got London's number from then-head coach Arthur Smith and sent a text, asking as politely as he could. London was willing to give it up. He had worn No. 15 at Southern California, but when he learned receiver Van Jefferson was taking it, he decided to keep No. 5. Robinson settled on No. 7. "It all worked out," Robinson said.
The two are now close friends and the offensive core of the Falcons. Both signed long-term extensions in the offseason that should keep them in Atlanta through the 2030 season. The Falcons are 3-4 and have not made the playoffs or posted a winning record in the four years the pair have been together, though the struggles have not been the fault of the stars. Robinson leads the NFL in rushing this season with 704 yards and led the league in scrimmage yards last season with 2,298. London is fourth in the league with 616 receiving yards, and his touchdown on Sunday helped Atlanta upset the San Francisco 49ers.
Atlanta has not reached the postseason since 2017, the second-longest drought in the NFL behind the Jets, who have missed it for 15 seasons. The Falcons have also 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."
Their chemistry has shown in the results. After a 34-3 home loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 2, in which Atlanta started third-string quarterback Cooper Rush because Michael Penix Jr. and Tua Tagovailoa were hurt, the two sat together on the bench discussing how to fix the offense. The next week, with Penix back, Robinson ran for 194 yards and London had 194 receiving yards in a 35-14 win at Green Bay. It was the third time the pair each topped 150 yards in the same game, an NFL record for a running back and wide receiver duo.
Robinson calls London his "real-life brother." They have navigated two coaching changes, from Smith to Raheem Morris to Kevin Stefanski, and a different Week 1 starting quarterback in each of their four seasons together. Their families have bonded too, with Robinson's grandparents often having dinner with London's parents before games.
On the field, they also complement each other. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees praised London as an unselfish player and one of the league's best blocking receivers, saying that attitude "creates buy-in across the board." London says Robinson's threat in the run game forces defenses to crowd the box, giving him more room outside.
Off the field, both are homebodies and somewhat introverted. In games, their styles differ. London is the more vocal and fiery of the two, and he exchanged words with a fan during the Panthers loss. Robinson stays even-keeled. "I've never seen him get upset," Penix said of Robinson. Tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. agreed that London is the more fiery one on game day.
Robinson says he values that edge. "Just let him be who he is," he said, noting that London's passion lifts everyone around him. If the Falcons are to end their long wait this season, the friendship and shared leadership of these two will be a major reason.
