Mayfield used that experience as a springboard to change his career path, landing in Tampa in the post-Tom Brady era, and keeping the Bucs afloat, including back-to-back NFC South titles in his first two seasons.
“You want that true spark plug, you want that guy that lifts the rest of the team,” Robinson said of Mayfield. “When you have a guy like that, you have a chance to win every single Sunday. The impact he has, obviously, just as a leader…You can talk to the ability and the type of player he is, and all that, but the guys who give you a chance every single Sunday — and the guys in the locker room know that — that’s a big deal.”
Robinson spent two seasons as the Rams’ passing game coordinator and QB coach in the OC job under Raheem Morris in Atlanta. With quarterback issues leading to inconsistency in ATL, Robinson’s offense was largely mediocre. At times they showed explosiveness but often did not play up to their skill level. As long as Mayfield is healthy, the Bucs new OC won’t have the same type of QB issues.
“Baker was the No. 1 pick in the draft for a reason,” Robinson said of his new QB. “As far as the arm, there’s no part of the field that he can’t attack. You start there and then you get to the instincts and the feel for the game. You mentioned it, the movement part is huge. You have to be able to move in this day and age in the NFL, you know. His ability to throw on the run — he’s probably the best thrower in the league in the game, he’s a great thrower in the game. Boots[leg] game. [I am] looking to develop that aspect and make sure we play to Baker’s strengths and the rest of the guys’ strengths. That’s a big factor. The transition on third down, those are tough downs, and when you have a quarterback that can obviously extend those plays and pick up first downs with his legs, that’s huge.”
Robinson is the Bucs’ fifth OC in the past five years – Byron Leftwich (2019-2022), Dave Canales (2023), Liam Coen (2024), Josh Grizzard (2025).