The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are turning the page on offense, and they’ve brought in a fresh mind to do it. Zac Robinson is the new offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay, and one prominent former Buc - and Super Bowl champ - is giving the move a strong endorsement.
Booger McFarland, who won a ring with the Bucs and now breaks down the game as one of the sport’s most respected analysts, took to social media to voice his approval: “Good hire. Tampa has better weapons overall than Atlanta and offense was never an issue there even with inconsistent QB play. Zac loves to run the ball also.”
Let’s unpack that, because there’s a lot to like - and a lot to watch.
First off, Robinson’s run-heavy philosophy is no secret. It was on full display during his time in Atlanta, where he helped turn Bijan Robinson into one of the league’s most productive backs.
In his rookie season, Bijan had 214 carries. Under Zac Robinson in Year 2, that number jumped to 304 - a major workload increase that came with big-time production.
Even with a slight dip in carries this past season (down to 287), Bijan still upped his yardage, going from 1,456 to 1,478. That kind of consistency - 1,400+ yards in back-to-back seasons - puts him in rare company.
Only Derrick Henry of the Ravens can say the same over that span.
That’s the kind of run-game identity Robinson brings to Tampa Bay. And he’s got a potential breakout back to work with in Bucky Irving.
Irving’s 2025 campaign was hampered by injuries - he played in just 10 games - but when healthy, he’s shown serious upside. As a rookie in 2024, he racked up 1,112 rushing yards, eight touchdowns, and averaged a strong 5.4 yards per carry.
That’s not just solid - that’s foundational. If Irving can stay on the field, Robinson might be the perfect coordinator to unlock his full potential and turn him into a franchise-caliber back.
But the run game is only part of the story here.
Robinson also has a track record of developing young receivers, and that’s where things get even more interesting for Tampa Bay. In his first year as OC in Atlanta, he helped Drake London post the best numbers of his career - nearly 1,300 yards in 2024. That’s a big leap for a young receiver, and it speaks to Robinson’s ability to scheme guys open and build confidence in his pass-catchers.
Now, he’ll have a chance to do the same with Emeka Egbuka. The rookie wideout was one of the most productive first-year players in the league this season, putting up 938 yards and six touchdowns on 63 catches. That’s a strong foundation to build on, and with Robinson calling the shots, Egbuka could be in for a major Year 2 leap - just like London was.
There’s a lot of potential here. Between Irving in the backfield and Egbuka on the outside, Robinson is walking into a situation with young, explosive talent - and a chance to mold this offense into something dynamic. If his run-first approach meshes with Tampa’s personnel, and if he can coax another level out of these rising stars, the Bucs could be cooking with gas in 2026.
Bottom line: This hire isn’t just about scheme. It’s about development, identity, and maximizing the pieces already in place.
Robinson has done it before. Now, Tampa Bay’s banking on him doing it again.