The New York Giants did not make a trade at the 2026 NFL trade deadline. Sitting atop the NFC East with a 5-2-1 record, it would not have been a surprise if they had made a big move.

There was reporting that they had made efforts to acquire Jeffery Simmons from the Tennessee Titans and Jonathan Taylor from the Indianapolis Colts; neither panned out. But they also made a different trade inquiry which would've been a stunner.

According to ESPN's Jordan Raanan, the Giants reportedly inquired with the Atlanta Falcons about superstar running back Bijan Robinson.

Giants made trade call on Falcons RB Bijan Robinson

"They made calls on Jeffery Simmons, they made calls on Jonathan Taylor, DeForest Buckner, I even heard the Giants made a call on Bijan Robinson... Bijan Robinson!" Raanan said.

The Giants tried hard to make a deal. They even made a call to the Falcons on Bijan Robinson. 

All this and more on this week's @BreakingBigBlue x @GiantsNationPod. 

https://t.co/LK8pi5EfeG https://t.co/JMQS9NjD8R

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) November 11, 2026

The Giants' strong interest in superstar-level players this season makes sense, as any player signed for multiple seasons would've made for a sensible trade target for this unexpectedly good Giants team without Jaxson Dart.

But while the interest in Taylor was intriguing and could've made for a fun move, nothing would've compared to landing Robinson in a trade.

The superstar Falcons running back is just 24 years old, signed for a while after a big extension this past offseason, and is one of the NFL's best running backs.

MORE: Jaguars reportedly acquiring Falcons' Pro Bowl safety in major trade

Robinson is a clear tier above Taylor, and he certainly would have cost the Giants a first-round pick at minimum. Would they have paid such a steep price? Potentially, as the fact that they reached out knowing the high cost shows they had some interest in a deal.

This season, on 169 carries, Robinson has 880 rushing yards with five touchdowns. He also has 31 receptions on 40 targets for 250 yards and one touchdown in the passing game.

The Falcons almost certainly would never trade Robinson, but had the Giants made a godfather offer, potentially including multiple first-round picks, they might've gotten the Falcons to think about it.

No deal materialized, but the fact that the Giants showed interest in Robinson makes it clear John Harbaugh and the front office wanted to make a splash, but they just couldn't get anything done at a price point that worked for them.

But it also should make clear that Cam Skattebo's days as the team's starting running back are likely nearing their end. This upcoming offseason, expect the Giants to be linked to plenty of RBs, as they clearly have an interest in upgrading the position.

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