As the Buccaneers get ready to open the season against the Bengals on Sunday, a lot of attention is landing on the new man steering the offense. Zac Robinson is heading into his first game as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator, and he’s already made it clear what he believes can drive this group.
Robinson said Thursday that the biggest thing he wants to see is the offensive line functioning as a unit after injuries kept that from happening last year. He pointed to the group’s flexibility as a major asset, especially with Tristan Wirfs back in the mix and the full front finally working together.
"I think the versatility stands out. I mentioned it a couple times, but the versatility of the offensive line…Everything starts with those guys up front," Robinson said.
"They've done a great job. It's great having Tristan [Wirfs] back out there and seeing the full collection of everybody working together.
Those guys get the thing going from a physicality standpoint and their versatility."
That was a luxury the Buccaneers never really had in 2025. Their starting offensive line never took a snap together, with Wirfs sidelined early by knee surgery and right guard Cody Mauch suffering a torn ACL in Week 2. After that, every Tampa Bay starter except center Graham Barton dealt with injuries at some point, leaving the unit without much continuity all year.
Robinson also likes what he sees from the group of pass-catchers around the offense. He highlighted wide receivers Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan, along with their backups Tez Johnson and Ted Hurst, plus tight end Cade Otton, as pieces that give the Bucs different options.
"Then just the mix of the skill guys has been really cool to just see it come together," Of course, we would have loved to get more reps with everybody together, with, you know, ‘J-Mac’ (Jalen McMillan) and ‘Mek’ (Emeka Egbuka) and Cade [Otton] and Tez [Johnson], you know, but Ted Hurst [III] got a bunch of reps, so we kind of got to see some stuff from that."
That depth matters right away, because McMillan is expected to be unavailable for Sunday’s opener in Cincinnati. The Buccaneers and Bengals are set for a 1 p.m. kickoff on the road.
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Green is described as the kind of physical, move-the-chains target who could fit what Tampa Bay wants to do if he keeps developing at LSU. For now, the idea is more about fit than certainty, but the mock underscores how much attention the position could draw as the Bucs look ahead and keep searching for a true weapon in the middle of the field. [Read more 🡒]