NFL world reacts to Buccaneers hiring former Falcons OC Zac Robinson

The Atlanta Falcons' rivalry with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just got taken to another level. On Thursday, the Buccaneers hired former Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson to their coaching staff. Robinson will take over for former Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard in Tampa Bay, while Atlanta has yet to name its new play-caller.

The Falcons hired head coach Kevin Stefanski last weekend and former Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is expected to follow. Stefanski has a history with Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield from their time together in Cleveland, but the relationship didn't end well.

Mayfield called out Stefanski on social media earlier in the week for sending him away "like a piece of garbage" and failing to reach out after trading the quarterback to the Carolina Panthers. And that was before Tampa Bay hired Robinson.

Last season, the Falcons offense ranked 24th in points per game (20.8) last season but finished top 10 in rushing yards with 125.8 per contest. Fans frequently blamed Robinson's for Atlanta's shortcomings over the last two seasons, and now they'll have to see Mayfield and Robinson twice a year.

NFL world reacts Buccaneers hiring OC Zac Robinson

During a week in which Baker Mayfield called out Falcons HC Kevin Stefanski, the Buccaneers now have hired Atlanta’s former offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. https://t.co/S3TyHlahTd— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2026

Zac Robinson to the Bucs is what hate watch dreams are made of for Falcons fans. The coach, not the person.

Baker ready for some pistol and to “show” Kevin Stefanski I guess.

Maybe Penix should do a little tweet. https://t.co/g8jt7RmfzSpic.twitter.com/GEmvUj2C7W— Clint Goss (@NFLDraftDome) January 22, 2026

Them boys are regressing

But I guess it’s familiarity with Baker from when the Rams claimed him after we waived him. https://t.co/3lG7GPH0op— Panthers Culture ???????? (@PanthersCulture) January 22, 2026

Robinson's offenses in Atlanta averaged 29 points per game on Tampa Bay the last two years. Made an impression. https://t.co/VYQlXIhh8y— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 22, 2026

Todd Bowles remembers the 67 points and 900-something yards Robinson and Kirk Cousins put on them in the 2024 season it seems. https://t.co/BdO3WQLIZj— Josh Kendall (@JoshTheAthletic) January 22, 2026

While the #Bucs did an extensive search for OC, the work Zac Robinson did with Baker with the #Rams in 2022 always stood out. Now, they’re together in Tampa. https://t.co/jsaIGhz20t— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 22, 2026

Zac Robinson as OC would be about as thrilling as keeping Todd Bowles as HC.— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) January 22, 2026

Funniest scenario is Zac Robinson becoming the OC and the Bucs/Falcons games becoming all the more ridiculous https://t.co/gGZB4Ct28v— Ashlie (@EMT_Ashlie) January 22, 2026

Going from Zac Robinson to Tommy Rees pic.twitter.com/OoNdCpvEuJ— Kevin (@TheInsiderKevin) January 18, 2026

I legitimately don't know how anyone could watch the #Falcons 2024-2025 offense and say "sign me up".

Even if Raheem Morris had been retained, Atlanta was going to move on from Zac Robinson.— Kevin Knight (@FalcoholicKevin) January 22, 2026

Zac Robinson will work on his offensive staff with the Bucs in the next week, but he'll definitely be keeping run game coordinator/OL coach Kevin Carberry, who worked with him with the Rams in 2021-22.— Greg Auman (@gregauman) January 22, 2026

#Bucs hiring Zac Robinson who famously called a read option on 3rd and 1 with Kirk Cousins and Bijan Robinson— Jason Passan (@JasonPassanMLB) January 22, 2026

I could be wrong...but I've heard that communication is a 2-way street and there were no laws against you (Baker) sending Stefanski a text or calling him after you got traded???? https://t.co/y7hI6zptax— Joe Thomas (@joethomas73) January 21, 2026

While there is a ways to go on staffing, expect senior offensive assistant Ken Zampese and passing game coordinator TJ Yates to join Robinson and the #Bucs. https://t.co/jsaIGhz20t— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 22, 2026

Yall didn’t even want Zac Robinson interviewed but now yall melting down again because he accepted an offer from another team ????— SweetHart, RN❤️ (@SweetHART_215) January 22, 2026

Some fans are overreacting a little bit to the Zac Robinson hire.

Statistically his offenses haven’t been bad and I truly believe mediocre QB play has hindered his creativity. pic.twitter.com/dnTWqFdoX7— Matthew Hewitt (@BucsTrackerNFL) January 22, 2026

The Bucs are looking sorry next season. The only reason you end up with Zac Robinson as your new OC is because nobody and I mean NOBODY wants to work with Todd Bowles. You gotta feel bad for Baker, his prime years are being wasted for as long as Bowles is HC.— Tom Brizzle (@Tonnie____) January 22, 2026

Zac Robinson’s upside is huge. The downside is also like 3-11 and a regime change.

Will be interested to see who he hires to fill out his staff. Assuming Ken Zampese as QB coach and TJ Yates as PGC. McClendon and Cardberry stay on at WR coach and OL coach.— Tampa Bay Sports Fan ???????? (@TBFan613) January 22, 2026

The Falcons are still working through interviews for their general manager vacancy. Follow along with each update, rumor and report using our interview tracker!

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Bucs hire Zac Robinson: Falcons fans react on social media