Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has a vision for the NFL's future: a league where every game is played under a roof. In a recent chat with OutKick, Robinson didn't just share his personal preference for climate-controlled football—he made a full-throated pitch for the entire league to follow suit.
“I wish one day the NFL can make every team indoors. I think that would be sick,” Robinson said, making it clear he's not just talking about his own comfort. He acknowledged that not every fanbase would welcome the change, especially those in Buffalo, but he believes the benefits would eventually win people over.
“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.”
It's a bold timeline, especially considering the Bills' new $2.2 billion stadium is an open-air venue that just opened. But the trend across the league is moving in Robinson's direction. Of the 20 current open-air stadiums, two are already slated to be replaced by domes in the coming years, and the next four proposed stadiums—set to open between 2030 and 2031—will all have roofs.
If those plans come to fruition, the number of open-air venues would drop from 20 to just 14, meaning less than half the league would play outside. That's a significant shift, and it's one that could accelerate as more teams look to maximize revenue and fan comfort.
Robinson's stance puts him at odds with traditionalists who cherish the elements as part of the game's character. But he's not alone in the locker room—many players prefer the consistency of playing indoors, where weather isn't a variable. The debate echoes the recent attention on the Bills' new venue, which has drawn both praise and criticism.
Of course, not everyone is on board with the dome revolution. Some fans argue that outdoor football is the purest form of the sport, and that snow games are part of the identity of teams like the Bills and Packers. But Robinson's perspective is that the game itself is the draw, not the weather.
“I know that’s a part of the culture,” Robinson said, referencing Buffalo's love of snow, “but if you could just go inside, go there and enjoy the game.”
Whether the NFL will ever go fully indoor remains to be seen, but the momentum is undeniable. As new stadiums rise with retractable roofs and fixed domes, the days of shoveling out seats may be numbered. For Robinson, that's a future worth pushing for.
