Zac Robinson was formally introduced as the Bucs’ offensive coordinator on Tuesday afternoon. Robinson hosted a press conference, which rightfully began with a discussion surrounding his previous time with quarterback Baker Mayfield. After the Rams claimed Mayfield, the two paired up in Los Angeles toward the end of the 2022 season.

It was the quarterback’s chance to get back on his feet, and it allowed Robinson, then the pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach, the opportunity to coach and see Mayfield’s hard work and dedication to his craft up close.

Fast forward to the 2025 offseason, and Robinson is ecstatic to once again work with Mayfield and tailor Tampa Bay’s offense to him.

Zac Robinson Knows Bucs QB Baker Mayfield Is “Made Of All The Right Stuff”

No one knew what to expect when Baker Mayfield joined the Rams days before their Week 14 game against the Raiders on Thursday night. Mayfield came in and led Los Angeles to a thrilling 17-16 win and stabilized the position for the team after losing Matthew Stafford for the season.

Everyone knows the fiery kind of player the now-Bucs quarterback is, but Zac Robinson saw something else in Mayfield during that time.

Former Rams QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

“We got Baker in 2022; we had some injuries at the quarterback spot,” Robinson said. “I’ve known of Baker for a long time. I went to Oklahoma State; he went to Oklahoma. He’d dice us up every time they played. I’ve had a ton of respect for him from afar as a player, and then to be able to get him in there and see the type of worker he was. I’ll never forget we gave him a handful of plays. Short week, Thursday night game.

“So, we gave him kind of a menu of plays — Baker can probably tell you. About 20-25 plays, it was like 10:00 at night. He came in the next day, and I saw his notebook; he had highlighters everywhere, color-coded. I thought right away, ‘I know the player, I know the talent, but he’s made of all the right stuff.’ That time we spent together was invaluable during a tough season. He came in and ignited that group. I’m fired up to work with ‘Bake’ and the rest of the guys, it’s a good group of dudes and I’m looking forward to it for sure.”

Even though the Rams sputtered to just a 5-12 season the year after winning the Super Bowl, Mayfield brought life and energy to the team. That brief cup of coffee allowed him the chance to earn a one-year, prove-it deal in Tampa Bay, where he has solidified himself as a franchise quarterback. Robinson saw how he approached the adversity then and believes in his leadership to give the offense a fighting chance every game next season.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

“It was a challenging season,” Robinson added. “I know Baker had been through adversity, he had great success in Cleveland and then went to Carolina. He came in right away and was meeting guys for the first time in the huddle on Wednesday practice. You could just see everybody gravitates towards Baker. That’s what you’re looking for from that position, you want that true igniter. You want that guy that elevates the rest of the group.

“When you have a guy like that, you have a chance to win every single Sunday. The impact that he has as a leader, you can speak to the talent and type of player he is, all those things. Those guys that give you a chance every single Sunday, and the guys in that locker room know it, it’s a big deal.”

Zac Robinson Praises Baker Mayfield’s Arm Talent, Mobility

While last season for the Bucs was not as challenging as the Rams 2022 season, it was still different from the status quo the organization has gotten used to. After failing to make the playoffs, pressure is on everyone from head coach Todd Bowles to the front office to Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield thrived in Coen’s offense in 2024, throwing for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns in Liam Coen’s offense in 2024. But 2025 was a regression as he tallied just 3,693 yards and 26 touchdowns. There were a multitude of reasons that contributed to the offense failing to meet its previous form, from injuries to former offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard’s schematic shortcomings that reared their ugly head late in the year.

With that in the past, Zac Robinson is now entrusted to get the most out of the group in 2026. For Robinson, working with Mayfield is an upgrade over Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. and it gives him a well-rounded signal-caller.

Bucs WR Mike Evans, RB Bucky Irving and QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

“Baker was the number one pick in the draft for a reason,” Robinson said. “In terms of the arm, there’s not a part of the field he can’t attack. You start there, and then you get to the instincts, the feel for the game. You mentioned the movement part is huge. You have to be able to move in this day and age in the NFL. His ability to throw on the run, he’s probably the best in the league throwing on the run.

“He’s great in the keeper game, great in the boot game. Looking to evolve that part and make sure we’re playing to Baker’s strengths, the rest of the guys’ strengths. That’s a huge part — the third-down conversions. Those are tough downs, and when you have a quarterback that can extend those plays and pick up those first downs with his legs is huge.”

Bucs OC Zac Robinson – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Zac Robinson will have the next few months to begin building his offensive vision. It will obviously have a Rams influence, but one can expect it to be built around Baker Mayfield’s strengths and give him the chance to be more efficient, operate under center, and utilize more play action, among other things.

After shouldering much adversity and playing under different play-callers nearly every season of his career, none of this is new to Mayfield. At least the quarterback has another offensive mind who is familiar to him and knows what he can handle.

“At the end of the day, you’re tailoring it to the quarterback’s strengths… Baker’s experience with the system, the amount that he can handle from a capacity standpoint is huge. You can put more on certain people’s plate when they’ve played and seen so much football like Baker.”