Can Zac Robinson recapture the Buccaneers' explosive offensive magic? Analysts urge a return to Coen's successful formula, not last season's struggles.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers hired Zac Robinson as their new offensive coordinator, aiming to revitalize the offense and perhaps replicate its excellence under Liam Coen in 2024.
Greg Auman, an NFL analyst for FOX Sports, said the Buccaneers and Robinson should "look more like (Liam) Coen and less like last season," on "The Jay Recher Poscast" on Wednesday.
Robinson served as the offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons last season. The Falcons ranked 14th in yards per game (333) and eighth in rushing yards (125.8).
He and Baker Mayfield have some history, as Robinson served as the pass game coordinator and the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022.
Mayfield played five games for the Rams and threw 850 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions. Four years later, the duo reunites in Tampa Bay.
"You want that true igniter," Robinson told reporters on Jan. 27. "You want the guy that elevates the rest of the group, and when you have a guy like that, you have a chance to win every single Sunday."
Although Mayfield and Robinson reunite, the new coordinator is tasked with reviving the offense and replicating the Buccaneers' success under Coen.
Coen, now the coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, led Tampa Bay to become a top-three offense during his one year with the organization. The team averaged 399.5 yards per game, ranked third behind the Detroit Lions (409.5) and the Baltimore Ravens (424.9).
They were ranked third in passing yards per game (250.4), fourth in rushing yards (149.2) and fourth in points (29.5).
Coen made Tampa Bay an explosive offense, especially with Mayfield at the helm, having a career year.
Mayfield threw for 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. The 1st overall pick in the 2018 draft added 378 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
The offense was among the best in the league until Coen left for the Jaguars, and Josh Grizzard served as the coordinator in his predecessor's place.
Tampa Bay's offense saw instant regression last season under Grizzard. The Buccaneers fell to 21st in yards per game (320.4), 20th in passing yards (205.9), 21st in rushing (114.5) and 18th in points (18.4).
Although the team fell into the 20s across offensive categories, injuries did deplete their depth. Mayfield dealt with various injuries throughout the year, Bucky Irving dealt with shoulder and ankle injuries, and Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. dealt with their fair share of time on the sideline, too.
Now, with Robinson leading the offense, Auman believes Tampa Bay should want their season to turn out more like Coen's year in 2024, when the team went 10-7 and less like the disappointing 8-9 finish to 2025.
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