Atlanta Falcons superstar running back Bijan Robinson knows how much of a blessing it is to play in the NFL.
He also understands the blessing of playing home games inside a domed stadium each season.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Falcons, doesn’t have to worry about the elements outside when it’s time for kickoff. It is one of 10 NFL stadiums with domes or fixed/retractable roofs, as it fits into the latter category. The Falcons are one of 11 teams lucky enough to not have to brave any elements when they see a home game on the schedule, but Robinson believes the entire league should experience that someday.
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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson reacts after the Falcons’ 19-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Robinson had quite the suggestion for the NFL during a recent interview with OutKick.
“I wish one day the NFL can make every team indoors. I think that would be sick,” he said, while also discussing his partnership with Sonic.
In theory, it would be sick. No matter what the outside weather says, whether it’s heavy rains or snows, strong wind gusts, or freezing cold temperatures, the climate and conditions will always be the same inside a domed field. Every team gets the same conditions to work with and no excuses in terms of elements can be used to blame a poor performance.
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However, Robinson’s dream of playing a 17-game-plus schedule in all domes isn’t very likely to come to fruition.
In every sport, there are purists, and football fans are very much at the top of the list. Seeing the winds in Cleveland coming off the lake, or braving the snow in Buffalo in the winter is what traditional football fans look forward to. It’s football – no element other than thunder and lightning will stop what goes on.
“I can’t speak for people in Buffalo,” Robinson said. “I know they love the snow, they love to be in it. But I feel like there would be a lot of people, too, that might enjoy not having to shovel it out. I know that’s a part of the culture, but if you could just go inside, go there and enjoy the game. Hopefully, we’ll see. Maybe in 10 years we could make that happen.”
While it’s highly unlikely every team will play in a domed stadium, those building new homes already have it in mind.
Almost all seven of the new NFL stadiums currently under construction or planned feature a dome, retractable roof, or a skylight structure. The exception was actually in Buffalo, as the new Highmark Stadium, which gets its debut on Thursday night between the Bills and Detroit Lions, has an open-air roof.
But teams like the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns are building enclosed venues. Also, the projects involving the Washington Commanders, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs all feature plans to enclose the field in some capacity.
Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons scores a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium on Sept. 13, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pa. (Getty Images)
It would be about one-third of the stadium where domes come into play, and sure, players may feel just like Robinson after not having to power through the elements if they don’t have to.
For now, though, it’s a privilege Robinson is well aware of.
“It’s definitely awesome to get to play inside. That’s a huge advantage because you don’t have to worry about the elements,” he explained. “The sun, like, dragging down your energy, or the cold. … For us, we just embrace it. We still practice outside in that heat, and I think it really helps us a lot practicing outdoors. It’s one of those things where it’s not cold here, so the weather changes in Atlanta all the time. One day it could be sunny, one day it could be gloomy, or rain and stuff like that.
“For us, it doesn’t really matter what the elements are like during the week. It could pour rain all day and we’re going right inside on Sunday. It’s definitely a blessing to play inside and play a lot of teams that are inside.”
Robinson and the Falcons are a very lucky group this season, as they have only five outdoor games remaining on their 2026 schedule. They will face the Green Bay Packers on “Thursday Night Football” in Week 3, followed by games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Week 8, Nov. 1), Browns (Week 14, Dec. 13), Commanders (Week 15, Dec. 20) and Carolina Panthers (Week 18, TBD).
Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons runs the ball against Emmanuel Forbes Jr. #1 of the Los Angeles Rams during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Perfect football pairing
With football season officially back, Robinson highlighted his favorite food pairing if he were the one sitting down to watch the Falcons and the rest of the NFL slate on Sundays.
Robinson preached how great the Sonic $7 Big Deal Meal was, as it includes a cheeseburger, medium drink, choice of medium tots or fries, and a vanilla sundae. And after getting the Big Deal Meal, he’ll be sure to throw in a strawberry limeade and a chili dog if he’s feeling extra hungry.
But overall, Robinson loves how great and affordable this special deal is for everyone, especially those families looking for something good to pair with their football each week.
“I feel like it gives everybody an opportunity to get a meal together as a family and they don’t gotta worry about it costing too much, or stuff like that,” he said. “They know they can go right to Sonic, order the $7 Big Deal Meal and enjoy it. They can have a full meal and it’s not just a hamburger or a drink or something like that. They can enjoy something together as a family.
Bijan Robinson as part of Sonic’s new “My Greatest 7” campaign, which highlights their limited-time $7 Big Meal Deal as the football season gets underway. (SONIC)
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“It’s been great to hear the feedback, and all my friends literally went the day they saw it.”
Robinson and Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield were featured in the “My Greatest 7” campaign, which will be seen throughout the football season.