The Buccaneers didn’t swing for the fences with their latest offensive coordinator hire - and that might be exactly what they needed. In bringing in Zac Robinson, Tampa Bay opted for a coach with substance over sizzle. He may not have been the flashiest name on the market, but he’s a strong fit for where this team is right now and what it’s trying to build.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t a leap of faith on an untested play-caller. Robinson arrives with a more developed résumé than some of Tampa Bay’s recent hires.
When Dave Canales took the job in 2023, he had never called plays before. Josh Grizzard, another name that had been floated in the past, was in a similar boat with a thin track record.
Even Liam Coen, who had a year of play-calling experience at Kentucky before his stint in Tampa, wasn’t quite as far along in his coaching journey as Robinson is today.
So yes, Todd Bowles and the Bucs made a smart move here. But the bigger question might be: did Robinson make a smart move, too?
That’s where things get interesting. Because while Bowles is betting that Robinson can reignite a Bucs offense that’s been inconsistent, Robinson is placing his chips on Bowles and the defense holding up their end - and on a handful of key offensive players bouncing back in 2026.
There are a lot of moving parts here. Robinson is counting on Mike Evans sticking around instead of testing free agency.
He’s banking on Baker Mayfield’s late-season struggles being more about injury than regression. He’s hoping Chris Godwin’s production ticks back up as his ankle continues to heal.
And he’s looking for Bucky Irving to shake off a sophomore slump and become a real contributor again.
That’s a lot of ifs. But Robinson didn’t sound like a man with doubts during his introductory press conference.
“I didn’t need to be sold on anything for this job. I was excited for this job as soon as it became available,” he said. “I was hoping that I got an opportunity to be here.”
Confidence? Check.
Whether it’s genuine or just good poker face, he came across as someone ready for the challenge. And make no mistake - there will be challenges.
Even when the Bucs offense was humming under Coen, averaging a strong 29.5 points per game, the team still only managed a 10-7 record. That’s a stat that should raise some eyebrows.
In the last decade, 31 other teams have averaged that many points or more - and every single one of them won more than 10 games. The difference?
Most of those teams had defenses that could close the deal. Tampa Bay’s, over the past two seasons, has ranked 20th and 16th in points allowed.
That’s not going to cut it, no matter how well the offense performs.
So while Robinson’s hire is a step in the right direction, it’s not a cure-all. The Bucs need a more complete team effort to take the next leap.
Still, there are reasons to be optimistic. Robinson, 39, brings a sharp mind and a strong pedigree. He spent the last two seasons as Atlanta’s offensive coordinator, and before that, he was part of Sean McVay’s coaching tree in Los Angeles - a group that’s been fertile ground for some of the league’s brightest offensive minds.
He praised Bowles, Mayfield, and McVay during his media session, and while he didn’t dive deep into scheme specifics, he offered more insight than your typical first-day-on-the-job coach speak. One of the more intriguing aspects of his background is his connection to Coen. The two were close friends during their time with the Rams, both soaking up McVay’s system and philosophy.
Coen once talked about forcing defenses to defend every blade of grass. Robinson echoed a similar mindset, though he framed it more around aggressive, intentional play design.
“Offensive football, defensive football is ever evolving and you’re always trying to stay up with the trends,” Robinson said. “What do you need to tweak?
What is our foundation? What can we hang our hat on in tough moments?”
He emphasized clarity and purpose - not just for the coaches, but for the players. “You only get 65 snaps a game,” he added. “You can’t waste any plays.”
That’s the kind of detail you want to hear from your offensive coordinator. It’s not just about drawing up plays - it’s about building an identity, one that’s adaptable, efficient, and tough to stop when it matters most.
So yes, this was a safe pick. But it was also a smart one.
Robinson brings experience, confidence, and a clear vision. Now the question is whether the rest of the team - particularly on defense - can match that energy.
If they can, the Bucs might not just be safe. They might be dangerous.