Zac Robinson “Needs A Sharp-Minded Quarterback”
January 27th, 2026
Bucs legend and Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback Rondé Barber had a few takes about new Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson before he was hired by Tampa Bay.
Barber’s forum of choice was The Rondé Barber Show, a WFLA-TV streaming property.
The Robinson offense on display in Atlanta was hampered, per Barber, by his quarterback.
“I’m ok with [Robinson]. I like the offense that he has drawn up and there’s a lot of complexity in the system,” Barber said. “He needs a sharp-minded quarterback that can handle the nuance of this system. You know, Baker can handle this type of system, knowing that it will be Baker’s ninth coordinator in nine years. This is a system I think Baker would love to be able to play in. … To me, there’s so many parts of this offense, a well-oiled machine if you will, players-wise [and] talent-wise on that side of the ball can really thrive in.
“I think Atlanta struggled because the quarterback struggled. Michael Penix in his second year wasn’t quite ready to run this kind of system. They kind of had to dumb it down.”
On paper, Robinson and Mayfield should be a fantastic fit. They worked together in Los Angeles and, it seems, Mayfield had a heavy hand in the hiring.
Now the Bucs just need better health on offense and better depth at offensive line and running back, as Rachaad White leaves for greener pastures.
January 27th, 2026 at 11:19 am
So glad the bucs didn’t draft penix.
January 27th, 2026 at 11:20 am
Baker will be traded to the Rams for 2 1sts if Stafford retires
January 27th, 2026 at 11:21 am
Doesn’t matter . You could have Mike Martz and Kurt Warner. Mr 3rd and 28 will have them looking like Mike Sullivan and Mike Glennon.
It would be better to just blow it all up now and save the fans the agony and stench.
January 27th, 2026 at 11:24 am
Very interesting and informative post Joe !!
As I continue to think about the hiring of Zac Robinson and the relationship he had with Baker in L.A., I believe the Buccaneers (with all the offensive talent) are once again in a great position to score 25-28 points per game.Bucs defense just need to put pressure on opposing quarterback, and we should be back in the playoffs !!
Go Bucs !!
January 27th, 2026 at 11:24 am
First Last Says:
January 27th, 2026 at 11:20 am
Baker will be traded to the Rams for 2 1sts if Stafford retires
HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
Baker will be a career back up after this year…similar to JW!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
January 27th, 2026 at 11:29 am
Baker may become a ram, just one year from now…if he politely declines an extension, we’ll know..
January 27th, 2026 at 11:33 am
Malik Willis for backup QB. Could take over if Baker fails or gets hurt. We’ve been lucky with Baker’s health so far. It’s time for investment in a suitable replacement. I’m not sure what the price would be for Willis but Teddy is wasted.
January 27th, 2026 at 11:37 am
“On paper, Robinson and Mayfield should be a fantastic fit.”
The “on paper” part is a trap. Can set expectations too high or be used as a negative moniker like “paper champs”
January 27th, 2026 at 11:55 am
Yes you can bet McVay is already figuring out how to get Baker away from the Bucs when Stafford retires. If that were to happen can you imagine. It would be Cleveland all over again only we would be Cleveland. He would go out there under a great HC and take off even more so.
January 27th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Bills promote Brady to HC. They believe he’s the guy that will get them over the hump.
Those owners moved on from a proven HC that has won multiple playoff games. We’ll see how that move works out, but they didn’t want their OC getting out the door.
Our guy has accomplished far less.
January 27th, 2026 at 12:05 pm
Mcvay doesnt want baker lol….
he’s more likely to go after Joe Burrow lol and save him from CIN just like he saved Stafford from DET
GO BUCS!!!!
January 27th, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Would love it if Baker gets traded to Rams if Stafford retires. Disappointed for true Bucs fans but happy not to have to hear from Munch and his girlfriends on this site. Those girls deserve Shedeur Sanders as the next Bucs QB.
January 27th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
“@Gipper, that reminds me. I need the Munch Report. It’s time for my daily constitution…and I’m out of toilet paper.” -Hugh
January 27th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
“…I should add for Rod, I’m too cheap to buy the good stuff.” – Hugh
January 27th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
@ First Last Says: “Baker will be traded to the Rams for 2 1sts if Stafford retires.”
Now, that’s ABSURD. Total FANTASY. There is in NO ‘reality’ that you are getting “TWO” Firsts, FOR BAKER. Secondly, on an expiring contract. There is NO WAY, especially when they could just wait until the end of the season and have to give up ZERO PICKS. It’s all irrelevant regarding, because it’s not happening. They will more than likely be DRAFTING a QB sometime within the next two drafts. And, they might have to sign a “bridge” QB on the cheap for a year or two, IF Stafford retires. If you are not “family” or at least a very close personal friend of Baker, then this is some REAL WEIRD stuff some of y’all put out there. I seriously, do not get the Fantasy… And, as an ADULT!? It a freaking ‘professional’ ATHLETE. Good God.
January 27th, 2026 at 12:49 pm
I cant wait to see how this performs this upcoming season. I don’t thunk I’ve ever been this excited for an obvious tanking season before. The Bucs are going nowhere fast and when they crash and burn, dont be sad just know it was all part of the plan. The Bucs need picks and aging vets to leave.
January 27th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
I’m good for Willis to come here, Daniel Jones too but I think he’s under contract. I would bring in Trey Lance just to kick the tires, ya never know. I mean how much worse than last years back up could he be? Also Joe you write like White being gone is in the bag,yeah I saw his posts, but no chance maybe Robinson can talk him into believing in the system? Maybe Mayfield as well? Would you take him over Allgeire?
January 27th, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Remind me…what are Zac Robinson’s qualifications?
January 27th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
@MelvinJunior Why are you taking things written by posters here seriously. This is an anger board, which is OK with me given the state f things in the world. People need this outlet and Joe provides that service. Nobody really knows what’s going on behind the scenes. Even Joe acknowledges that he normally has no special Intel. So don’t take it all so seriously.
Consider this: In the Preseason, Seattle was a 20-1 shot (against) to win the Super Bowl and New England was 80-1. Though I did not pick them in the Preseason, I did have significant money on both of them to win their conferences after week 10 when their odds were still way out of wack with their performance. Not because I’m a genius, but because the odds were so good. I also have a significant wager on Seattle to win the Super Bowl that I made 30 days ago when Schatz said their DVOA was the third best of all time. The NFL is a crapshoot and winning is dependent on many things. Just look how many games come down to the last possession. For example Denver still has a shot to win with a nobody QB and so did LA even with 25 seconds left. So all those spouting doom and gloom, go ahead if it makes you feel good, nobody is making you accountable for your predictions. Go back and look at the “confidence polls” when the Buccaneers were 3-1 or 6-2 and most thought the Buccaneers would surely win 11-13 games. Fans are fickle.
January 27th, 2026 at 12:56 pm
Lol. Baker is no where near the level of QB as stafford. Baker has 3 games in the first 8 weeks of 4th qtr comebacks.. stafford been doing that ish for 15 years plus! The guy has never had the best offensive line, has been often injured, but still stands in the pocket and throws strikes! Baker on 3rd down turns and looks at the opposite end zone after his first read is covered, then after that he proceeds to think he is Josh Allen running around. Sad but truth hurts
January 27th, 2026 at 1:02 pm
For Zach Robinson offense to be successful in Tampa
The RB position is just as important as the QB position
We need RBs that can move the chains, catch the ball
Zach offense will feature a lot of play action
We will need the RBs to block, and pick up a blitz
Bucky Irving was a huge disappointment last season
We know he had injuries, and the OLine were injured
But, for this offense to work, Bucky has to be better
One of our main priorities should be adding a complete RB
Through free agency or the draft
I love what Zach Robinson was doing in Atlanta with Kyle Pitts, Drake London, Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier etc. It’s a complicated offense, it’s tough for a rookie QB to come in and pick it up. That’s one of the reasons why Sean McVay wanted Matthew Stafford. I think Baker can have success with this offense. If we can have success running the football.
If we can run the football, we will have a Top-5 offense
If we struggle to run the football
It would be 2025 all over again
January 27th, 2026 at 1:03 pm
This will morph in to a SB winning combo soon. They do it every year. People fall for it every time.
January 27th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
Bucs need sharp minded ownership.
January 27th, 2026 at 1:18 pm
I like the fit ,, I would put Robinson somewhere in between Canales and Coen,, that said without a D or a real D coordinator ,, does it matter !! Like all of a sudden Bucs D will all be flying to the ball , making most tackles , creating turnovers ,, Bowles schemes are outdated ,, we need a young , hungry DC!!! Even when the Bucs had the other team at 3rd and 15 Bowles would always give up 10 to 13 yards and be happy to hold them to a punt but always gave up valuable real estate
January 27th, 2026 at 1:30 pm
Baker approved? There wasn’t much to chose from.
January 27th, 2026 at 1:34 pm
Baker is not getting any younger. Who knows if his injuries will linger. That said, if his ego says play hurt, then you need a coach to step in and say heal up Baker, QB2 has this.
So the question is, who will be QB2? It can’t be some old re-tread like Marcus Mariota, Russell Wison.
January 27th, 2026 at 2:05 pm
Baker beat out Sam Darnold for the starting gig at Carolina. Darnold is playing in the superbowl… I wonder why Bakers not in the superbowl? Mmm
January 27th, 2026 at 2:11 pm
Sam and team will win the superbowl. Maybe coaching matters??
January 27th, 2026 at 2:12 pm
Lakeland … ‘Bucky Irving was a huge disappointment last season
We know he had injuries, and the OLine were injured. But, for this offense to work, Bucky has to be better’.
Totally agree with your analysis Lakeland ref the importance of the Bucs’ Run Game in Zac Robinson’s offense. And yes, Bucky was a disappointment last year, but it might be simply because he wasn’t a rookie anymore & opponents had lots of film on him.
I remember how successful Cadillac Williams was his first year here (2005). In 14 games, he ran 290 times for 1178 rushing yards (4.1 YPC), 6 TDs & 59 first downs. But in his 2nd year (2006), I guess opponents had figured him out a little, because in 14 games he carried the rock 225 times but ony got 798 yards (3.5 YPC), 1 TD & 32 first downs.
Bucky had an incredible rookie year (2024). In 17 games he got 207 carries for 1122 rushing yards (5.4 YPC), 8 TDs & 52 first downs. But things changed in his 2nd year (2025). Only got into 10 games because of his injuries, but still carried the ball 173 times for 588 yards (3.4 YPC), 1 TD & 27 first downs. Big change in rushing average as we all saw, part of that probably because of our OLine issues, but have a hunch that defenses had a much better idea last year about how to defend against his rushing techniques. Film study makes a big difference.
I’d still like to see us re-sign Rachaad White, but the chances of that happening are pretty close to zero IMO. I’m not impressed with either Irving’s or Tucker’s pass protection, and that’s a huge part IMO of keeping Baker ‘functional’. There are some very good veteran RBs out there though, and I’d much prefer signing one of them over drafting a rookie.
January 27th, 2026 at 2:20 pm
@Budda, I liked your post.
January 27th, 2026 at 2:59 pm
DR Says: “There are some very good veteran RBs out there though, and I’d much prefer signing one of them over drafting a rookie.”
Me too. It’s a buyers market this off-season. There are so many of them who are at least ‘serviceable’ so it should keep the price manageable. I look for them to sign one. I’m wondering about Tucker tho… Are they going to workout a deal with HIM longterm!? I don’t have even the first clue, as to what each side is thinking!? I mean, is HE even happy here… Are they (including ZacRob) happy with HIM!? There is literally, no telling WHAT the hell they’re gonna do. Lots of ?’s going into this offseason, and for next season.
January 27th, 2026 at 3:04 pm
It is,all the Rams system. the rams would have won Sunday were it not for a special teams fumble. Baker will do well but slide or get out of bounce on runs.