The Buccaneers may have a fresh offensive coordinator in Zac Robinson, but when Tampa Bay lines up against the Rams, the old Sean McVay connection will still be doing plenty of work.
Robinson’s path to Tampa runs straight through McVay’s coaching tree. He spent five seasons on McVay’s staff, including his last two years as passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, and that stretch was enough to launch him to the Falcons’ offensive coordinator job. Before that, McVay also got his start in Tampa as a 22-year-old coaching assistant in 2008.
That history matters now because Robinson brings more than a résumé - he brings familiarity. He worked with Matthew Stafford for three seasons and helped him turn into a Super Bowl-winning quarterback in the 2021 season. That kind of inside knowledge could be a major asset for Todd Bowles, who also serves as Tampa Bay’s defensive coordinator.
The Bucs are hoping Robinson’s arrival gives their offense the kind of lift that Liam Coen provided in his lone season as offensive coordinator. The alternative is a lot less appealing: Josh Grizzard lasted only one season before getting fired, and Robinson stepped into that vacancy.
There’s plenty riding on how Robinson meshes with Baker Mayfield, too. If he can help Mayfield put together a full season of consistency, Tampa Bay will like where it stands by the time Week 17 rolls around - and the matchup with Los Angeles could turn into a quarterback showcase.
Of course, Stafford is still the centerpiece of the challenge. At 38, he remains one of the league’s most dangerous passers, and he finished last season with 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns and just eight interceptions while winning NFL MVP.
And he won’t be operating alone. The Rams still have Puka Nacua, who finished second in the league with 1,715 receiving yards last season, just 78 behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who played one more game.
Los Angeles also brings a strong ground attack. Karen Williams piled up 1,252 rushing yards, scored 10 touchdowns and averaged 4.8 yards per carry, while Blake Corum added 746 yards, six touchdowns and 5.1 yards per carry.
So yes, Tampa Bay’s reunion with McVay’s coaching world comes with a heavy dose of difficulty attached. The Bucs will have plenty to sort out when they see the Rams.
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For the Buccaneers, the intrigue is obvious because the position always sits at the center of their long-term planning, and any young quarterback with first-round pedigree will draw attention if he becomes available. The fit would depend on more than just interest, of course, but the combination of need, coaching stability and future uncertainty makes Tampa Bay a team worth watching closely if the Vikings really do start taking calls. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Fans Have A New Emeka Egbuka Concern
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For now, the Buccaneers are waiting on more information, and that is what makes the situation uncomfortable. Egbuka did not return to practice, and the team has not said how serious the injury is, leaving Tampa Bay with a familiar late-summer stress test as it weighs how much it can afford to lose from a player who was already drawing attention in camp. [Read more 🡒]