NFL head coach crowns ‘best player in football’ at halftime of Monday Night Football shocker
Bijan Robinson is the “best player in football,” according to Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, who gave the ultimate praise to his star after a stunning 93-yard touchdown
23:54 ET, 29 Dec 2025
Bijan Robinson was named the “best player in football” during Monday Night Football(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
Atlanta Rams head coach Raheem Morris hailed running back Bijan Robinson as the “best player in football” during Monday Night Football, after he broke the franchise record against the Los Angeles Rams.
Robinson surpassed the single-season scrimmage yard record for the Falcons on Monday, surpassing the 2,176 total set by William Andrews in 1983. Atlanta legend Roddy White believes that Robinson is one of the best offensive players in the NFL, and Morris went one step further.
Monday night also saw Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford set an NFL record, as he tied Brett Favre’s unwanted total of 32 pick-sixes. While Stafford remains a contender for NFL MVP, Morris believes that Robinson is the best player in the game.
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Speaking at the end of the first half to ESPN’s Laura Rutledge, Morris said: “Bijan’s the best player in football, and we’ve been talking about that for a long time, and they know it.
“These guys are a good football team. We messed it up this year, and they came out to play. But we’re playing the Rams, we’re playing Sean McVay, we’re playing Matthew Stafford, we’ve got to come out ready to go in the second half.”
The Falcons led 21-0 at halftime, as Robinson opened the scoring with his fourth touchdown reception of the season. Jessie Bates then returned a 34-yard touchdown after picking Stafford, to double Atlanta’s lead.
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Just before halftime, Robinson showed his class with an explosive 93-yard touchdown run, running the Rams, who entered the game 11-4. The Falcons were 6-9, but the Rams began to fight back in the second half as expected, losing a classic encounter 27-24.
Robinson is in the third year of his four-year, fully guaranteed rookie contract worth approximately $21.96 million. He is set for a bumper extension, and breaking the franchise record on Monday night will only help his case.
Morris’s comments on the running back also sent a clear message to the front office. Ahead of Monday’s game, Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson said, “He’s having a tremendous season.
Robinson had 229 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on Monday(Image: ©Icon Sportswire All Rights Reserved)
“Obviously, we’ve talked about him so much at length, just what he means to our team, and obviously everything is built around him, and he handles everything week-to-week so well. We put him in a number of different locations and just become a really complete player mentally, physically.”
Entering Monday’s game, Robinson had 1,250 rushing yards and 776 receiving yards, with nine total touchdowns. While the record was in his sights, Robinson remained humble, a trait that has made him popular among all NFL fans.
“I’m going to work as hard as I can to have the best performance for the team and for everybody watching,” Robinson said. “But that is pretty cool to be that close.
“Obviously this program has been existing for a long time, so to be able to get to lead that, it would be a blessing.”
