Who is Zac Robinson?

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are turning to a familiar face from the Sean McVay coaching tree to revitalize their offense. On January 22, 2026, the team finalized a deal to hire Zac Robinson as their new offensive coordinator. Robinson, 39, arrives in Tampa at a critical juncture for head coach Todd Bowles, following a disappointing 2025 season where the offense regressed to 18th in scoring and 21st in total yards.

The Mayfield Connection

The most significant aspect of this hire is Robinson’s relationship with quarterback Baker Mayfield. The two spent five weeks together in late 2022 with the Los Angeles Rams after Mayfield was claimed off waivers. Robinson, then the Rams' passing game coordinator, was instrumental in helping Mayfield learn the system in just 48 hours before a legendary game-winning drive against the Raiders.

Reports indicate that Mayfield made a "significant push" for Robinson’s hiring. By bringing in Robinson, the Bucs are doubling down on the McVay-style scheme that saw Mayfield earn Pro Bowl honors in 2024.

Coaching Philosophy and Background

Robinson is a former NFL quarterback (drafted by the Patriots in 2010) who rose through the coaching ranks under Sean McVay in Los Angeles. His scheme typically emphasizes:

• The "Illusion of Complexity": Using similar formations to run vastly different plays, keeping defenses guessing.

• Heavy Use of Play-Action: Leveraging a strong ground game to create explosive passing windows.

• Quarterback Development: Robinson has received high praise for his work with Matthew Stafford and his ability to maximize rookie talents like Puka Nacua.

• Coach, if you can hear me, please do not bring that pistol formation to Tampa. I am begging you. Thanks in advance.

A Tale of Two Seasons in Atlanta

Robinson spent the last two seasons (2024–2025) as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. His track record there is a bit of a mixed bag:

• 2024 Success: In his first year as a play-caller, Atlanta’s offense was explosive, ranking 6th in total yards and 5th in passing. He successfully integrated playmakers like Bijan Robinson and Drake London.

• 2025 Struggles: The unit regressed to 24th in scoring last season. However, analysts point to a "quarterback carousel" involving a late-career Kirk Cousins and an injury to Michael Penix Jr. as the primary reasons for the slump.

What This Means for the Bucs

By hiring Robinson, Tampa Bay is either looking for stability, an eventual replacement for Todd Bowles, or both. Robinson will be the Bucs fifth offensive coordinator in five years. The hope is that his familiarity with Mayfield and his roots in the West Coast system will provide the consistency needed to return the Bucs to the top of the NFC South.

Category	2024 Bucs (Under Coen)	2025 Bucs (Under Grizzard)	2026 Bucs (Under Robinson)
Total Offense	3rd	21st	Top 10???
Scoring	4th	18th	Top 10???
Passing	5th	20th	Top 10???