The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are entering the offseason looking to find ways to get back on track in 2026. Simply put, their most recent season was a disappointment, as the Bucs collapsed down the stretch and eventually threw away a massive lead in the NFC South division, which led to the Carolina Panthers winning the division and advancing to the playoffs instead of them.
Immediately after the season, changes were made, as Todd Bowles fired offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard and quickly replaced him with former Atlanta Falcons‘ offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. This move will have a big impact on several players, but perhaps the main beneficiary of the decision to replace Grizzard with Robinson is star quarterback Baker Mayfield, who made it clear he’s looking forward to getting to work with his new offensive coordinator.
Baker Mayfield Dishes on Buccaneers’ Decision to Hire Zac Robinson
Despite racing out to a 6-2 start, the Bucs fell apart down the stretch of the season, thanks in large part to their woes on offense. While the team dealt with a slew of injuries throughout the year, they actually played worse as they got healthier. After the season ended, it was clear that changes needed to be made on that side of the ball.
That led to Robinson being hired to replace Grizzard. Long considered one of the brightest offensive minds in the game, Robinson spent the past two seasons with the Falcons as their offensive coordinator. Prior to that, he spent five years with the Los Angeles Rams, which is where he briefly met Mayfield late in the 2022 campaign.
While they didn’t get much of an opportunity to know each other, given that Mayfield suited up in just five games for the Rams, that brief stint helped him turn his career around once he found his way to Tampa Bay. Now, the two will reunite on the Bucs, and it sounds like Robinson is exactly the type of coach Mayfield wants to play for moving forward.
“It’s been great,” Mayfield said of his relationship with Robinson on “The Ronde Barber Show.” “I already had a respect for him in terms of the football aspect, but not knowing how he would be as a coach. Real laid back, but he’s got a fire within him … These are the kind of coaches I want to be around, that are truly gonna adapt to the personnel, to what the guy’s strengths are, and go from there.”
Zac Robinson Looking to Get Buccaneers Offense Back on Track
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 13: Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson reacts after the game between the Buffalo Bills and the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 13, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
The good news for the Buccaneers is that they still have a ton of talent at their disposal on offense. Mayfield has proven himself to be a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback, and when it is fully healthy, his offensive line is one of the better units in the league. As for playmakers, Mayfield is throwing to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, and Jalen McMillan and handing the ball off to Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, and Sean Tucker.
If everyone can get on the same page, Robinson’s job will become very easy. Given how things unfolded in 2025, though, it’s clear that’s going to be easier said than done, and it’s fair to wonder if the front office will make some changes to the offensive depth chart before the new season rolls around. With Robinson in town, though, there’s reason to believe Tampa Bay will bounce back on offense when we see it next.
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Sends Strong Message on New OC Zac Robinson