Zac Robinson: If Ted Hurst Develops, Bucs Could Be Explosive
May 14th, 2026
Could ignite offense.
When Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson spoke Tuesday, he cautioned folks that rookies often have a long way to go before they naturally go with the flow and contribute.
If Bucs rookie receiver Ted Hurst grows into the player the Bucs think he can be, Robinson acknowledged, the Bucs offense could be explosive.
When Mike Evans was injured last year, the Bucs didn’t have a “true X-receiver,” simply defined as a receiver who stretches the field. But, as Robinson said, the Bucs do have a bunch of receivers who can take snaps like an X-receiver and function as one at times.
Evans was the Bucs’ X — until he mysteriously took a paycut and bolted to San Francisco.
Robinson said the Bucs have enough receiver talent to win and the Bucs proved that last year without Evans. But dang, Robinson said, if Hurst develops, he will be a serious weapon.
“Having a true X is a weapon,” Robinson told the Tampa Bay pen and mic club. “You know, knowing that guy is a real threat on the backside and you can dictate certain coverages, certain ways like that is an absolute threat.”
How so? When Robinson was with the Rams during the Super Bowl run of 2021, the Rams signed Odell Beckham in mid-November. Robinson said Beckham absolutely changed the offense.
What happened? The Rams won the Super Bowl.
“The closest guy we kind of had in LA [for an X-receiver] was Odell,” Robinson said. “He changed the math with the defense.
“There’s one-on-one opportunities [with a solid X-receiver]. So, yeah, having a true X is a luxury.”
Robinson made it clear he can have the Bucs offense humming if Hurst doesn’t develop.
“Really, all three receivers can play all three spots,” Robinson said of Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan. “Which is also tough on a defense, because guys can line up everywhere. And that’s where you see the flexibility of [Egbuka, Godwin and McMillan]. Those guys can line up everywhere, and there’s really no true X, no true F[-receiver], no true Z.
“But you got a bunch of different versatility from a pretty cool skill group. So, you know you could go both ways with it, but if you got a true X, it’s definitely a weapon.”
Joe doesn’t know about Godwin playing as an X-receiver, maybe as a decoy. He’s had bad wheels the last few years and those don’t get healthier at 30 years old.
Yeah, sure, Tez Johnson could be an X because of his speed. Joe was speaking with someone in Bucs’ personnel recently and when talking about Johnson, he dismissed Johnson’s 40 time, saying when Johnson is on the field he plays football fast and that’s what counts.
Clearly, the Bucs don’t want to rush Hurst. But if he can prove the NFL isn’t too big for him this fall, the sky is the limit with the Bucs offense.
May 14th, 2026 at 5:57 am
Hurst could be this years Charles Lee!
May 14th, 2026 at 6:15 am
Pump the brakes, Hurst will have a successful season if he catches 30 balls and 3 TDs, he won’t be featured with all the mouths to feed
May 14th, 2026 at 6:40 am
Doesn’t need to be featured. Just the threat of deep speed keeps safeties from creeping up. So yes , even if he catches 25-50 passes they still have to account for him and that makes thinks easier for other receivers and routes
May 14th, 2026 at 6:49 am
I a gree. Chris should get over 1000 yards, Ebuka 1000 yards Jmac 800 Cade 600 Gainwell 500 Bucky 500 Tez 500. That’s 4900 yards without Hurst.
May 14th, 2026 at 7:23 am
Sounds like Robinson is pleading for Baker to stay as well.
May 14th, 2026 at 7:49 am
Why wouldn’t he?
May 14th, 2026 at 8:13 am
it is extremely comforting going into this year with an OC that actually knows what he is doing. Go BUCS!!
May 14th, 2026 at 8:18 am
He’s the only true X on the roster who will be given every opportunity to win the job. Teams will sleep on him early to their peril. If safeties have to worry about Chris, EE, JMac, he should get a lot of single looks. I think the kid has a chance to make a difference right out of the gate.
May 14th, 2026 at 8:24 am
I hope this is a different Zac Robinson, than the former OC in Atlanta
This guy was horrible in Atlanta, one of the worst OC in the league
I really hope he has DEVELOPED as an OC
May 14th, 2026 at 8:57 am
Why do you believe that Lakeland?
He was 4-2 vs the Bucs. I remember in ‘23 he was considered the hottest most sought after OC on the market. I think he wasn’t the problem in ATL. Qb play was. I thought he was the best choice. Meaning the best OC who runs a system that best suits the players we have & wanted to come coach here.
Who did you think they should have hired for OC?
May 14th, 2026 at 9:06 am
Stanglassman
I watched all of the Falcons games
They were passing the ball on deep routes on 3rd and 2
His play calling was questionable, especially with the players
I guess that’s why the Falcons players gave him such a low grade
May 14th, 2026 at 9:15 am
The Falcons players gave him a C- grade, which was generous
I thought he deserved a D, the guy was horrendous
You would actually have to watch every game, every offensive call
He graded out well against the Bucs, only the Bucs
When Carolina shut them out 30-0, it was the final straw
I could see the expression on Arthur Blank face
They won 4 straight to finish the season strong
But, they struggled to get 17 points against weak defenses all season
And they only finished strong, because they young defense got better
That’s why they retain their DC
And sent their OC packing with Raheem
May 14th, 2026 at 9:27 am
agree with @Lakeland….not impressed with Zac…
yeah he’s an upgrade over Grizz but he’s not on the same level as Dave or Liam….
Zac has a ton to prove imo
GO BUCS!!!!
May 14th, 2026 at 9:31 am
Robinson is auditioning for todds job. After Hassan, Evans lost faith.
The previous oc had more upside but was too young fir a hc job. The bucs were afraid of a raheem type decision in promoting him. Zach gets a chance to impress … Todd is in too big of a hole imo.
We are struggling to be as good as before while every team around us is getting better except Atlanta
Hope this strategy works
May 14th, 2026 at 9:58 am
The Falcons are a desperate team. Arthur Blanc really wants a super bowl party but he is the biggest problem himself.
May 14th, 2026 at 9:59 am
Look up our record when Evans was out. It’s atrocious. Last year was by far the best we’ve ever done without Evans in the lineup and we were 4-4 (since he’s been here obviously).
The only way we can improve that record is if Hurst can replace Evans’ role in the lineup and force the coverage his way like Evans did.
Nobody else can fill that void in our lineup and force the defense to Erik coverage their way and still potentiality be effective.
Every other WR on our roster gets shutdown if the other team gives them the Evans treatment and rolls coverage their way.
May 14th, 2026 at 10:17 am
No way that kid only catches 25 balls all season! If he does the others are balling out…or were gonna win 4 games
May 14th, 2026 at 10:26 am
“The Falcons players gave him a C- grade, which was generous
I thought he deserved a D, the guy was horrendous”
I’m still curious as to what Drake London was cussing TJ Yates out about on the sideline week 18 of last year. Dude scored a TD, brushed off Raheem on his way back to the sideline and went straight into what looked like him laying into a few of the coaches on the sideline, but especially TJ Yates who is now our pass game coordinator.
May 14th, 2026 at 11:13 am
Lakeland- Who was your OC choice over Zac? Lots of the ones I liked weren’t interested in coaching here over other teams. I think they got the best OC willing to take the job.
May 14th, 2026 at 11:40 am
lot of what ifs this year for this team, usually not a good thing
May 14th, 2026 at 11:44 am
Agree w Lakeland, Zac has a lot to prove! No other decent Coordinator wanted the job considering the entire Staff would be subject to change after 1 Season if/ When Bowles is let go. Nobody wanted to be a 1 and done OC
May 14th, 2026 at 11:50 am
Zac is going to need to learn how to Spread the ball around. Since he became Falcon’s OC he fed London and the RB’s. No other wideout .. Pitts was average for the most part except when he faced The Bucs/Bowles
May 14th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
There’s more IF’s and Could Be’s.
May 14th, 2026 at 2:03 pm
Atlanta:
Rushing Yards: Bijan Robinson (1,478 yards)
Receiving Yards: Kyle Pitts (928 yards)
Points For: 353 (20.8 per game)
I am also on the wait and see for Mr Robinson. He had some weapons in ATL
Pitts with less than 1000 yards in not that impressive
Bijan is the best RB in the NFL, so 1478 yards is just ok
OBs SUCKED, unless they were playing the Bucs
And worst of all, 20.8 Pt/Gm is NOT impressive
The Bucs had 22.4 with ‘I don’t have a clue’ Grizz
Todd has made excellent choices in the past (Canales and Coen) until Grizz
And Mr Robinson is who we have for now. So we shall see
May 14th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
mr south paw dade city was a really bad qb with a bad record, kurt was inconsistent but robinson playbook was creative
May 14th, 2026 at 7:53 pm
SlowIQ you are actually agreeing with me. Thanks for making my point.