Did Josh Grizzard Not Have Enough Knowledge For Baker Mayfield?
February 7th, 2026
The Buccaneers’ franchise quarterback seems very happy about his new offensive coordinator, and it’s not just because he helped select him.
While pitching hamburgers and french fries this week in San Francisco, Baker Mayfield told chief NFL writer Rob Maadi of Associated Press that the dynamic coming from new Bucs playcaller Zac Robinson will be about a man with great knowledge and teaching prowess.
“I think when you know somebody, that doesn’t always mean it’s going to go well,” Mayfield said of Robinson. “But having worked with him before, understanding his process, how much he puts into it, and just honestly, his football knowledge.
“You know, he played [quarterback in the NFL], but then just being in L.A. [with Rams head coach Sean McVay]. I bascially had a cup of coffee there for five games, but the stuff he did to help me get ready on the fly and help me learn the offense within that short time period. I trust him. And I know how hard he works and I know how much he’s able to grasp the offense and teach everybody. And so, for me that’s really important to have a guy like that. He demands excellence out of you.”
Interesting take from Mayfield. Reading between the lines, it sounds like Mayfield thinks Robinson is football smarter and a better teacher than fired fall guy offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, another guy Mayfield had a hand in selecting.
It’s making Joe wonder whether Grizzard was qualified to run the high-octane Bucs offense. It sure looked like Grizzard was just fine until Mayfield got banged up, injuries piled up and the Bucs landed in Los Angeles and showcased a deer-in-the-headlights offense in prime time.
They never recovered.
Regardless, Robinson is here and Mayfield feels like he’s in better hands. Quarterback confidence cannot be underestimated.
Much appreciation for Bucs fans out there. ❤️
Staying focused after so much heartache. 🫡
January 2026 traffic data from the true website data gurus @Similarweb pic.twitter.com/4UnOdmH47Q— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) February 8, 2026
February 7th, 2026 at 8:07 pm
I might be the only Buccaneer fan that thinks Baker could call plays & be his own OC! But I truly believe Baker knows situations & understands how to move the ball down the field, like no other! Go Bucs
February 7th, 2026 at 8:09 pm
Did we expect third time to be a charm too? Admittedly, I was hoping. Let’s see how Zac does. But dam. We need a defense. After three years, I’m not confident in the Guru anymore.
February 7th, 2026 at 8:09 pm
Grizzard’s offense scored the second most points against the Seahawks (Robinson’s scored 9) and was also one of the top four against the Patriots, scoring more points than the Patriots D averaged giving up (Robinson’s Falcons scored the same).
He was an interesting fall guy.
Read a report that the new secondary coaches are the assistant secondary coaches from last year. Interesting non fall guys
February 7th, 2026 at 8:17 pm
Ahhh the LA mercy game. Good thing Sean likes our head coach. He was so kind not to run up the score. So nice of him to give us mercy. So glad we kept our head coach so the other teams will be nice to us. The little victories. It’s a Bucs life.
February 7th, 2026 at 8:32 pm
Joe, you’re reading between the lines. Just like you said you were doing. Mayfield talking up Zac didn’t mean he was talking down Grizz. Give me a break.
February 7th, 2026 at 8:37 pm
I doubt Liam Coen would have had a top 5 offense with all the injuries from last year but he would have adjusted better than Grizz. That Kool-Aid DB in New Orleans summed it up best, he liked playing the Bucs because he knew exactly what play was being called. Grizz had to deal with injuries that limited the playbook and a lot of that is on having Baker play hurt behind a bad OL. Maybe a better backup QB could have helped. Grizz was the scapegoat.
HopetheBucswin. I wonder if McVay putting 70 points on the Bucs on primetime TV would have embarrassed and forced the Bucs to make Bowles quit calling plays or even fire him?????
February 7th, 2026 at 9:11 pm
From everything I’ve heard, Grizz had plenty of knowledge and a super high football IQ. He played a key role in the Bucs 3rd down offense in 2024 when Coen was here.
Grizz will do fine as a coach in the NFL, and the Eagles hired him pretty quickly. But coming in as a first-time playcaller with zero previous experience is challenging enough. And he had to deal with all the injuries on the o-line, which made it even more challenging. If he gets another chance as an OC, I would think he’d get better at making adjustments. Just like players, any coach is going to continue to get better with experience.
February 7th, 2026 at 9:54 pm
Players will always speak well about a new coach on the way in, though it’s not always what the really think on the way out the door.
Griz was hired with the mindset that he was supposed to keep the Coen Offensive continuity chain intact but you could tell from the jump that he did not have the offensive prowess of Liam Coen’s mind & was not able to string play concepts together, setting up his shots in the game with certain looks early & returning to those looks later to take advantage defenses by creating spacing and mismatches.
(He is a very smart guy with a ton of coaching experience, but his play calling felt more mechanical vs the fluid natural flow of calling a game that Coen has).
I expect that Zac comes in & has the “IT factor” needed to earn all players respect, in order to take the 2026 Bucs offense to the next level…I expect to see a return to more of what Coen was able to accomplish offensively, as they both run very similar McVay Tree schemes/terminology – using bunch sets and motion to create the spacing and mismatches. (As the vast majority of the 2026 OFF depth chart will have already played in this style of offense)
February 7th, 2026 at 10:10 pm
Every time Grizz spoke, he just sounded dumb. I hated the way he communicated. He might be smart, but he sounded like a teenager. At least he didn’t say the same three phrases over and over: “We just got to execute,” “We just gotta coach it better, they gotta play it better,” “ We’re there. It’s just a few big plays here and there that cost us.” Each press conference makes me want to throw my phone!
February 7th, 2026 at 11:21 pm
Falcons released Cousins. He would make a great backup here. Someone who could actually play when Baker gets banged up. Then he could heal instead of playing injured and dragging the team down the rest of the season.
February 7th, 2026 at 11:28 pm
James Pierce arrested
Stalking, aggravated assault, fleeing police.
That didn’t take long..
He is that man
February 7th, 2026 at 11:36 pm
Im hoping they actually do some RPO QB keepers with Baker.
He is a better runner than people give him credit for.
At least when its a called keeper he can dictate when to slide.
Just keep him clean and healthy and he will throw for 4,500 again.
35-45 TDs 10-12 picks.
Starts looking rosy and then you remember oh yea we still have Bowles.
And promoted Defensive assistants without other promotions.
What a cop out. This is his last year without making the NFC Championship game
February 7th, 2026 at 11:44 pm
ATLbuc
Cost prohibitive?
February 8th, 2026 at 12:56 am
@Bojim there’s an argument for Bowles. His defenses have been great in in the past. Today there’s no talent, Licht has been spending on the other side. Next season we should have better players, and that will be the final referendum on Bowles.
February 8th, 2026 at 1:07 am
JMarkBuc LMAO that the ATL gave up this year’s first rounder to draft that basket case. I know some Buc fans liked that guy but it does look like red flags cannot be ignored either.
February 8th, 2026 at 2:17 am
Yes, Billie Bucco, this is a prove it year for TB, but also for JL. Time will tell.
February 8th, 2026 at 2:58 am
The old saying “anyone can teach but few can educate” holds truth any level learning is being expected! With the hiring of Zac, Baker knows that the “educate” not just teaching will take place. Sadly, HC Bowles who teaches his beloved defensive techniques will continue to not educate HIS players to be successful!!!
February 8th, 2026 at 4:50 am
Give Bowles better players and faster linebackers and more strong, fast defensive tackles and edge rushers and his defense will be significantly stronger.
February 8th, 2026 at 6:17 am
I’ll never forget one play.
During a time out.
Grizzard came out to speak with Baker.
Baker was locked in and on fire.
Baker looked in the eyes of Grizzard.
And Baker saw his fear.
Bakers eyes looked shocked.
Liam Coen is intense like Baker.
Just look at Liam for The Jaguars.
He’s on fire.
Baker needs an OC who is confident and fearless.
As he is.
February 8th, 2026 at 6:43 am
F.M.Dave
When the staff at UT says he’s uncoachable, incorrigible, etc. etc. Perhaps you should believe them..
Matty Ice is on the scene now, let’s see what he’s got.
February 8th, 2026 at 6:49 am
“Baker looked in the eyes of Grizzard. And Baker saw his fear.”
Fired folly guy Josh Grizzard went out to Baker in that moment and complained that it wasn’t fair that he wasn’t given choices for the correct play in multiple choice format, like the way it’s supposed to be in school.
February 8th, 2026 at 7:18 am
Perception matters and Mayfield seems more ar ease with Robertson. Injuries played a role in the offense failing after the bye week.
It’s behind us and 2026 is a clean slate. Experience matters. The Bucs have an experienced OC calling ▶️.
Today is the Super Bowl 🏈 and time to party. 😉 the game.
February 8th, 2026 at 10:45 am
Mayfield seems like the kind of guy that needs an OC that he thinks has much greater knowledge than him. Not a guy that he knows more than.
Grizzard was too inexperienced. I gather he did not project confidence.
February 8th, 2026 at 11:01 am
Defensive players from other teams were quoted as knowing the Offensive play calls. Doesn’t really surprise me! Beginning of the season no one knew Grizz and by mid season he developed patterns that were easily spotted.
February 8th, 2026 at 12:04 pm
Hire Schwartz as new DC. Time for TB to let go. Licht needs to insist on this. It Todd can’t handle it, that’s too bad. We can’t handle much more of his Non-defense.
February 8th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
Joe, why you beating that dead horse?
February 8th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
Fire Todd
February 8th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
Take Cousins ASAP.
February 8th, 2026 at 11:28 pm
What’s he supposed to say?
Griz put up 40 on the super bowl elite defense champion Seahawks.
He will be a hc in the nfl by 2030.
The only logic for his firing was being in better shape after he leaves
February 9th, 2026 at 9:45 am
Josh Grizzard was ok. The Bucs scored more than enough points to win games. Josh was made one of the scapegoats. You can argue the new OC is not even as talented as Josh. Bucs problem was absolutely zero Defense. Everybody knows it. Check Seattle out. They got a Defense.
February 9th, 2026 at 1:11 pm
Go Bucs Says:
February 7th, 2026 at 8:07 pm
I might be the only Buccaneer fan that thinks Baker could call plays & be his own OC! But I truly believe Baker knows situations & understands how to move the ball down the field, like no other! Go Bucs
————-
You definitely are… if you don’t recall that recently, we had a very similar situation. It was 2022, Arians just stepped down and Leftwich was our supposed offensive coordinator. Brady was our QB and crowing about all the input he had on the offense, plays run, adjustments, etc… our offense was trash… Brady’s offense was trash. With Arians no longer on board to hold him accountable, Brady did his own thing and it was horrible. Leftwich took the fall for not being able to outrank the future hall of famer… that disgrace of an offense was Brady’s fault. There was no risk it, and definitely zero biscuits. It had Brady’s Patriot offense of the early 2000’s fingerprints all over it… a horizontal screen based offense. So if the GOAT can’t be his own coach, I doubt Mayfield would be good at it either. Baker needs to be able to focus on one play at a time… not what he’s going to do now to set up what he wants to do next series.