Prediction: Zac Robinson Will Make Bucs RBs Better In The Passing Game
July 9th, 2026
More production in the passing game?
Hey, Warren Sharp isn’t the only guy pumping out good stats as we crawl toward the start of training camp on July 29.
So too does Aaron Schatz, the inventor of DVOA and former big shot at Football Outsiders (RIP).
Schatz publishes the Aaron Schatz’s FTN Football Almanac 2026 and gets help from other statheads, including Alex Blickle.
Blickle explains he’s not much of a Zac Robinson believer (Blickle thought the Bucs may have been better off sticking with Josh Grizzard over Robinson — guess he never watched Kirk Cousins regularly carve up Todd Bowles’ defense). However, Blickle does believe Robinson, the Bucs’ new play caller, will get running backs a whole lot more involved in the passing game than Josh Grizzard ever did.
Robinson … can successfully incorporate running backs into the passing game. Bijan Robinson was fifth in receiving yards … among running backs in 2024 before finishing second to Christian McCaffrey last year. Why does this matter? Because utilization of the running backs in the passing game is one of the biggest areas where the Bucs saw a drop-off last season. In 2023, their running backs combined for 82 receptions, 641 receiving yards. In 2024, the backs combined for 107 receptions [and] 894 receiving yards. But last year, despite having both Bucky Irving and Rachaad White, who specialize in this area, they combined for 78 receptions [and] 529 receiving yards.
Well, Blickle must remember that Bucky Irving missed a large chunk of playing time last year due to injury. So that stat is a tad misleading.
Notice, [Bucs running backs not producing much in the pass game last year] wasn’t for lack of trying. In fact, it was moreso the opposite. The most popular critique of Grizzard’s offense was that it was predictable, including in the way he used the backs in the passing game. The volume was there for White and Irving; they just rarely had space to do anything with it. If Zac Robinson can create some easy-button plays for Baker involving Bucky Irving and Kenneth Gainwell the way he did with Bijan Robinson, that really would help.
If Robinson is able to get Kenneth Gainwell, Sean Tucker and Bucky involved in the passing game, that will certainly help Bucs receivers.
If defenses have to worry about running backs catching passes out of the backfield, that ought to mean more opportunities for Baker Mayfield to find open receivers.
And yeah, Joe thinks that’s a good thing.
July 9th, 2026 at 1:23 am
@Joe
Under Liam Coen, the running backs caught 107 passes for 894 yards. Under Grizz, that dropped to 78 catches for just 529 yards, a decline of 27% in receptions and over 40% in receiving yards despite having Bucky Irving and Rachaad White.
The offense also slipped to 17th in total offense, 18th in scoring, 22nd in rushing, and 24th in red-zone touchdown percentage. Third-down efficiency fell from being one of the league’s best to the middle of the pack.
The issue wasn’t simply throwing to the backs less,it was how they were used. Too many predictable checkdowns and swing passes with little chance to create after the catch. Pistol Zac’s system has consistently created explosive production for backs by using MOTION, angle routes, wheel routes, play-action, and screens designed to get them into space. If he gets Bucky Irving, Kenneth Gainwell, and Sean Tucker involved the way he did with Bijan Robinson, this offense becomes much harder to defend. Forget “Wait and see.” I’m buying stock in Pistol Zac right now.
I think defenses are about to find themselves in a good old-fashioned Western. Every snap is another bullet in the chamber. Motion. Play-action. Running backs catching passes in space. Receivers attacking every level. Baker pulling the trigger. Last year’s offense often felt like a six-shooter loaded with blanks. This year, I expect a fully loaded revolver!!
🔥 LFG!
💍 ME!!
🔫 ZAC Time!!!
July 9th, 2026 at 3:22 am
I just woke up so all the number mumbo jumbo kinda escapes me. Let me put in English. Obviously our OL was a mess last year. But obviously Grizz. He just wasn’t quite up to the task. Yeah, I know we have massive holes in the secondary. I believe our offense will be at least slightly better. Even though our secondary will be weaker than jailhouse tea, our front 7 will make this defense better. Our special teams had nowhere to go but up. We will be ok
July 9th, 2026 at 6:59 am
Bucs running backs catching passes out of the backfield…
that means Mayfield will be getting rid of the ball faster, which means he’s not hesitating and running around taking sacks and fumbling, which means Bucs’ offense will sustain more drives and score more points.
And if running backs are productive receiving, then that will open zones for receivers to be open…
Sounds good!
July 9th, 2026 at 7:00 am
I saw a bunch of plays where White could have gained good yards in the flat, the throw never came
July 9th, 2026 at 7:06 am
In a way I feel bad for Grizz. The constant shuffle of OL and WR last year, plus not having Bucky is a lot for a guy calling plays for the first time. Doesn’t mean he’s good, just that he got dealt a pretty crappy hand.
July 9th, 2026 at 7:34 am
Gainwell is an upgrade. He’s going to feast on the passing game.
July 9th, 2026 at 7:35 am
Sounds like a good strategy for the Bucs to utilize their running 🏃♀️ back as receivers, especially Bucky who can jurk their opponents out of their jock straps.
July 9th, 2026 at 9:54 am
In the last 4-5 years the Bucs have been atrocious at running the ball (last or near last in YPC), with the only exception being Coen’s stint.
Zac prefers a wide zone blocking concept, which this line had proven to be ineffective in. Hopefully Zac is flexible enough to deploy a man blocking scheme if need be.
July 9th, 2026 at 10:32 am
All I want to see. Is for us to “open it up”. Not just for a little bit. Doesn’t mean we have to run a hurry up 2 minute offense, although it is an interesting concept. We need to open it up and not shut it down until the final whistle blows. Todd Bowles might be a little uncomfortable with that, but he’s begrudgingly talked about the game has changed and you have to be able to score more points than the opponent. He’s still old school, and he’s trying to change. He’s got to keep trying, and let that playmaker filled offense cook. With gas. I think we’re gonna be good. Real good.
July 9th, 2026 at 3:38 pm
Gainwell was a WR in college.
He’s a sick WR.
We just need the offensive line to stay healthy.
And we need depth at guard and tackle.
And we need to make it through the preseason without any major injuries!
July 9th, 2026 at 4:59 pm
Usually, the game script has a lot to do with the RB’s being utilized in any way. If the Bucs were behind the majority of the time (which without looking I believe they were) then that would have a major impact on the play calling. Not sticking up for Grizz here. I am rooting for an offensive line that is healthy and happy.
July 9th, 2026 at 6:19 pm
Still wish we could have kept RW. I’m hopeful but not sold on 2 RBs without breakaway speed or power. Tucker is our only home run threat in the backfield and he needs perfect blocking.