The Buccaneers’ offensive overhaul is officially in motion, and it’s starting to look a lot like Atlanta South. Just days after hiring Zac Robinson as offensive coordinator, Tampa Bay is doubling down on continuity and familiarity, bringing in two of Robinson’s former Falcons colleagues - Ken Zampese and T.J. Yates - to join the staff.
According to league sources, Zampese is expected to serve as senior offensive assistant, while Yates will take on the role of passing game coordinator - the same titles they held under Robinson in Atlanta. The trio now reunites in Tampa with a shared vision and a track record of collaboration, which could be key as the Bucs look to elevate their offensive identity.
Zampese Brings Mayfield Connection and Veteran Insight
For Zampese, this isn’t just a reunion with Robinson - it’s also a reconnection with Baker Mayfield. The veteran assistant coached Mayfield during his rookie season in Cleveland back in 2018, when Mayfield burst onto the scene with 3,725 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions across 14 games (13 starts). It wasn’t a perfect season - the Browns went 6-7 in those starts - but it was a promising debut that helped put Mayfield on the map.
Zampese’s résumé stretches far beyond that season. He’s a seasoned offensive mind with years of quarterback development under his belt, and his familiarity with Mayfield could help fast-track the quarterback’s growth in this new system. The Bucs are banking on that chemistry paying off again, this time in a different uniform and under a new regime.
Yates Adds a Player’s Perspective and Rising Coaching Acumen
T.J. Yates might not have had a long run as an NFL starter, but he brings something just as valuable to the table: firsthand experience in the quarterback room and a fast-rising coaching trajectory.
The former Texans quarterback played in 22 games over seven seasons, including 10 starts and two playoff appearances. He wasn’t a star, but he was a pro - someone who understood the grind, the film room, and the locker room.
Since retiring in 2017, Yates has been steadily climbing the coaching ladder. He started with the Texans in 2019 and joined the Falcons in 2021, taking on a variety of roles including wide receivers coach, quarterbacks coach, and passing game specialist. By 2025, he was coordinating the passing game alongside Robinson in Atlanta - experience that should translate well as he takes on the same responsibilities in Tampa Bay.
Familiar Faces, Fresh Start
What the Bucs are building here is more than just a new offensive staff - it’s a cohesive unit with shared language, shared experience, and a clear direction. Robinson, Zampese, and Yates have already worked together, which gives them a head start in implementing a system that fits both their philosophy and the personnel on the roster.
It’s also a sign that Tampa Bay is serious about surrounding Mayfield with coaches who understand how to get the best out of him. Whether it’s Zampese’s history with Mayfield or Yates’ quarterback perspective, the pieces are being put in place to give the offense a strong foundation heading into 2026.
The Bucs have been busy on all fronts, not just on offense. They’ve added an assistant offensive line coach and a new defensive line coach as well, signaling a top-to-bottom reshaping of the coaching staff. Still to come are hires in the secondary - specifically at cornerbacks and safeties coach - but the framework is taking shape.
With Robinson at the helm, and Zampese and Yates by his side, the Buccaneers’ offensive brain trust is forming fast - and it’s one that already knows how to work together. Now, the real work begins in turning that familiarity into results on the field.