Falcons extend Robinson, offensive core, put spotlight on QB - ESPN

New Atlanta Falcons general manager Ian Cunningham said at his opening news conference in February that he wants the organizational principle to be «draft, develop, retain.»

This offseason has put the emphasis on the latter — retain — perhaps more than any other offseason in franchise history.

The Falcons signed All-Pro running back Bijan Robinson to a three-year contract extension Tuesday worth up to $75 million that makes him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. It was the latest big-money deal in a whirlwind two months in Atlanta.

On June 8, the Falcons penned wide receiver Drake London to a four-year, $141 million extension. Three weeks later, tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. was extended for three years and $54 million. And then, last Saturday, the Falcons upped the ante, extending left guard Matthew Bergeron for four years and $96 million.

That's about $366 million put on the books over the past eight weeks. And a major signal that Cunningham, new coach Kevin Stefanski and new president of football Matt Ryan will build the future of the team around this young offensive core.

Robinson is 24 years old. Pitts is still only 25, the same age as London. Bergeron is 26. That group will now likely remain together for at least the next three seasons, all with market-impacting deals.

There are few surface questions about why the Falcons re-signed all four. Robinson is arguably the best running back in the NFL. He led the league in scrimmage yards (2,298) last season. Pitts was the second-most-productive tight end in the NFL last season after Trey McBride. London has consistently been a top-10-level receiver despite a revolving door at quarterback. Bergeron has been a starter since his first game.

However, there is one