The Atlanta Falcons approached the trade deadline this week with the attitude that they were certainly not going to be buyers, and as it turned out, they did wind up selling off one of their best players.

While the Jessie Bates trade was a tough pill to swallow for fans who have come to love the All Pro safety, it ultimately made sense and was a solid return for Atlanta. As time goes on, most will come to accept the fact that it was probably the right move. One move that did not get made which would have lit the league on fire though was on the face of the Falcons franchise.

In the hours after the deadline came and went, it was reported by NFL insider Jordan Raanan that the New York Giants made calls and attempted to trade for Atlanta superstar running back Bijan Robinson. 

We may never have an idea how serious these discussions were or if they even came remotely close to becoming a reality, and these types of calls probably happen a whole lot more often than fans realize. But can you imagine the backlash had Atlanta actually made a move to ship off the best running back in football?

In all likelihood, they likely demanded a ridiculous return including multiple first round selections and that was the end of the conversation, but even if the package was massive from New York, fans in Atlanta would have been absolutely livid to lose their favorite player in Robinson.

The Falcons certainly did not go out and dangle Robinson on the trade block and if phone calls are made with offers, it would be bad business not to listen. However, a fanbase who is already getting restless with this new regime of a coaching staff and front office might have shown up to the facility with pitchforks and torches had a deal involving Robinson been made.

At the end of the day, this 'what if' is going to stay in the hypothetical reality, but it would be fascinating to know what the Giants were offering and how Atlanta countered or if they simply just hung up the phone right then and there. 

Regardless, Robinson is here to stay and hopefully be a part of the franchise turnaround from a perennial loser over the last decade to contender in the NFC.