Braelon Allen has something to prove

Third-year back Braelon Allen couldn’t wait to put the pads on this week. He hadn’t worn them since suffering a knee injury in Week 4 last season.

Allen and Isaiah Davis are competing for carries behind Breece Hall. Allen, who is 245 pounds, said this is a “huge” season for him after last season was cut short when he was just feeling he was getting in a rhythm.

“I don’t want to think too much about personal goals or anything like that,” Allen said. “Just trying to my establish, earn respect from my teammates and around the league and prove myself as a workhorse back.”

“My approach started in October when I got off that operation bed, operation table, got to work on rehab. I knew exactly what I needed to do. I know exactly what this year has to look like. It’s been a process that’s been ongoing for 10-11 months now and I’m ready to go.”

Allen isn’t yet in his first contract year in the NFL and he certainly isn’t yet considered to be among the top running backs in the league, but he was excited to hear about the three-year $75 million extension the Falcons agreed to with Bijan Robinson on Tuesday.

“Man, that’s crazy,” he said after practice when he learned about the deal that resets the market for the position. “That’s crazy. Congrats to him. He’s a special back, a special talent. Well-deserved and well-earned. Now I’m curious to see what Jahmyr [Gibbs’ next contract] will look like.”

Gibbs is currently “holding in” for a new contract with the Lions, meaning he's at camp with the team to avoid fines, but not participating in practices.

Such huge contracts are sure to trickle down and impact the rest of the running back market for years.

Allen won’t be eligible for free agency until after next season. But learning about Robinson’s deal certainly made him happy about the possibilities that a huge payday could lie not too far ahead for him.

“I’m worried about what I have to do right now,” he said. “If I do that then that day will come and God willing it will.”