Zac Robinson Will Get Baker Mayfield “On Schedule”
January 25th, 2026
A Zac Robinson mentor weighs in.
BY IRA KAUFMAN
The man who gave Zac Robinson his first opportunity as an NFL offensive coordinator says the Bucs just hired a gem.
Robinson became available to Tampa Bay after the Falcons dismissed Raheem Morris as head coach. Todd Bowles selected Robinson to replace Josh Grizzard as his play-caller, hoping the Bucs can return to their dynamic 2024 form under Liam Coen.
Fired Falcons head coach Raheem Morris talks to Ira Kaufman about new Bucs playcaller Zac Robinson.
“I love Zac,” Morris says, “and I think he’s one of the young bright talents in this league. His ability to get people open and his ability to use his personnel are outstanding. I just think he’s awesome. He’s got it all.”
Robinson and Morris worked together on Sean McVay’s staff for three seasons, a stint that included a Super Bowl victory for the 2021 Rams. When Morris was hired by Atlanta in 2024, he was determined to land Robinson as the overseer of his offense.
“He brought Kyle Pitts to life and Zac brought Bijan Robinson to a new level,” Morris says. “I just think that’s awesome. He got better and better calling plays as he went along. You get into a groove when you’re doing that for awhile. These play callers need a chance to grow. I really think the Bucs are getting a superstar in the making.
“For me, it was an easy decision to bring Zac aboard in Atlanta. I was with him in L.A. and noticed he had this calm presence about him … where Liam could get a little out of whack.”
The Falcons averaged 22 points per game during Robinson’s tenure in Atlanta. Kirk Cousins started 22 games and Michael Penix started under center 12 times in that span. Robinson enjoyed particular success against the Bucs as the Falcons went 3-1, averaging 29 points and 445 yards.
“It was great to watch Zac getting so involved in our run game,” says Morris. “We ran the ball really well in Atlanta. You guys in Tampa have that cool run game, so this will be a match made in heaven. Zac was outstanding in finding creative ways to get Bijan the rock and the Bucs have some talented backs he’ll work well with.”
It’s not a stretch to suggest Baker Mayfield had considerable clout when it came to choosing Tampa Bay’s new offensive coordinator. Robinson was serving as passing game coordinator and QB coach for the Rams when Mayfield arrived in Los Angeles late in the 2022 season. Despite virtually no practice time, Mayfield enjoyed instant success.
“That’s why Mayfield wanted him for the Bucs,” Morris says. “Baker’s got a bunch of confidence already and Zac will help him do the things he does best. Mayfield’s very good at making plays off schedule. Zac will get him to make more plays on schedule. Take it from me — they’ll be awesome together.”
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Ira Kaufman Dives Deeper Into The Zac Robinson Hire, Talks Defensive Assistant Search, Whether The Bucs Are All-In Or Not For 2026, And More
January 25th, 2026 at 4:38 pm
It’s the Defense that needs Help on this team. Our Offense is not the problem.
January 25th, 2026 at 4:38 pm
Is Raheem in play for a spot on Todd’s staff?
January 25th, 2026 at 4:42 pm
Zac Robinson Will Get Baker Mayfield “On Schedule”
That is fine, but what about the ‘Defense’!!
It is horrific and always late!!!
January 25th, 2026 at 4:43 pm
Yep, you get BM6 a good line and a good OC and we will go all the way, even with Todd as our HC.
January 25th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
“Is Raheem in play for a spot on Todd’s staff”
Package deal with he & Ollie would be ideal. Promote Foote to DC let Raheem be Co-DC and running the CB room. Give Ollie the DTs & OLBs and let’s get to work.
January 25th, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Watching AFC Championship 7-7 midway thru 3rdQ. Turns out that a great defense is kind of important. Hope Munch,DBBF99, oneilbuc, and the rest of the anti Baker bed wetting crowd is paying attention. There are many ways to win football games.Way past time for defensive genius TB to show us a rofessional defense
January 25th, 2026 at 5:04 pm
Agreed Truth be Told, there is nothing Zac or Baker can do to get the worlds worst defense on schedule. As long as Bowles is DC and Licht is drafting superstar edge rushers, this team is doomed. Licht cant even sign decent FA Edge rusher, but watch him extend Reddick’s contract. lol. This team is a joke and seems like only the fans can see the disaster unfolding.
January 25th, 2026 at 5:24 pm
Oh no, Drake Maye is finding out what happens when your line can’t hold off the defense. You get a 50% completion percentage with 41 yards at half time. Maye just needs to talk with Mayfield and he can tell him what it’s like to play a whole season like that, not just 1 game. Little different isn’t Maye?
January 25th, 2026 at 5:30 pm
There is no doubt the line being hurt was the main driver in Mayfields numbers being down this year.
January 25th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
Raheem for DC!
January 25th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
What What it is said. Spot on.
January 25th, 2026 at 5:33 pm
Baker was bad the second half of the 2025 season, but the defense has been terrible for 2 years, if not longer. Whoever decided that Bowles gets to run the defense again must not’ve watched the games.
January 25th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
Any success we have will come from outscoring our opponents. It doesn’t matter who we bring in on defense whether players or coaches, as long as Bowles is in charge the defense will be horrible. If backups don’t know the plays in the latter part of the season, it says a lot about the coaching. And he’s too stubborn to simplify the defense.
January 25th, 2026 at 6:02 pm
Patriots playing a backup QB. They couldn’t put up over 20 points before halftime? Why couldn’t they do that?
January 25th, 2026 at 6:14 pm
The hype begins
January 25th, 2026 at 6:17 pm
The Bowzo Bucs will be hard to hype as usual.
January 25th, 2026 at 6:34 pm
Hard to get hyped up for this up and coming season.
January 25th, 2026 at 7:01 pm
Great read! An aso a big heck ya, Let Rah Coach the D!!!
January 25th, 2026 at 7:10 pm
Well said Gipper. Like you, I followed Baker since he first came into the league. Hmmm, our bed wetters can’t be that stupid right? Or can they?
January 25th, 2026 at 7:11 pm
If he is so good, maybe Zac can play QB2 as well.
January 25th, 2026 at 7:43 pm
IF I’M NOT MISTAKEN THE BUCS TRIED TO SCHEDULE A INTERVIEW WITH ZAC
WELL BEFORE THEY HIRED LIEN
January 25th, 2026 at 8:20 pm
No he won’t!!!!
January 25th, 2026 at 9:25 pm
WE GET IT. You guys are very upset that Bowles was retained and don’t have any confidence that it will be any better next year. I think we ALL get that. It doesn’t need to be repeated by everyone on every single thread. They are supposed to be about the topic of the article.
Interest points brought up by Raheem. Taking a shot a Liem surprised me.
January 25th, 2026 at 9:47 pm
Really pleased with this hire. The Falcons the last two years were on the top half of the league in offense. As high as 6th total yards. 5th in passing and 10th rushing. I’m hoping this should be a baseline top 15 offense with high upside.
January 25th, 2026 at 9:47 pm
Staying on topic, I liked Robinson’s play calling on 3rd and fing 28!! Amazing
So if this guy is as good as Coen (doubtful), the ceiling with Bowles and Baker is one and done in wildcard game.
Can’t wait!
January 25th, 2026 at 10:33 pm
Phone call:
Jason; Hey Ra what’s up ?
Raheem; Hey Jason what can I do for you ?
Jason; I need a favor. Do you think you could say some good stuff about Zac ? Say some stuff about how he will be good for Bake and maybe take a dig at Coen so our fans might shut up about him ?
Raheem; Sure Jason, be glad to. Anything else ?
Jason; Maybe, I’ll let you know.
January 25th, 2026 at 10:42 pm
I hope raheem is correcr.. because if not… Baker, todd and licht will all get there walking papers January 2027
January 25th, 2026 at 11:02 pm
Sal – yep.
Not suggesting that’s exactly what happened but here’s what I would never expect Raheem morris to say:
“Man I really f’d up hiring and sticking with Zac”
The guy is an absolute clown. And the shot at Coen is laughable considering he hasn’t accomplished anything near what Coen has despite being older and in the league far longer.
January 26th, 2026 at 3:00 am
yeah i can def see zac as much better for baker than grizz was…
we can go from the “grizzle sizzle”…which never really happened, and i never really got to use…
to……..
the “zac attack”………
(potentially zac robinson’s high powered 28-30 point offense)
January 26th, 2026 at 3:53 am
I believe Raheem. Getting a good feeling about Zac’s hire now. If Raheem doesn’t find a HC job, maybe he will be brought in to help Todd with the defense.
January 26th, 2026 at 9:29 am
Has everybody on this forum forgotten how Raheem Morris failed spectacularly as the Bucs head coach? Now he is jobless again after his failed tenure in Atlanta. Seriously folks, how much credibility do you give this guy? Those of you touting a Bowles and Morris duo are smoking too much weed. This combo would be worse than a bad Laurel and Hardy movie. Seriously.
January 26th, 2026 at 1:46 pm
My biggest peeve with old OC was how late plays getting in to the huddle. If by on schedule it means breaking the huddle with enough time to do motion and read the defense without having to hurry clap the snap it’s an improvement.
January 26th, 2026 at 1:47 pm
Hire Raheem as DC for the Bucs and then just destroy the Falcons next year for the ultimate revenge tour lol
January 27th, 2026 at 1:12 am
Can he get him to get the ball out “on schedule”? So he doesn’t have to pull it down and take those hits? Say what you want about Canales” offense but he had Baker getting the ball out quickly.
Go Bucs!