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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to look a lot different in 2026.
After last year's late-season collapse cost Tampa a playoff spot, the team aggressively added several new players this offseason.
In free agency, the Bucs spent most of their resources on improving the defense, which did not meet the team's standard in 2025. Not only did the defense regress last year, but its effort has also been brought into question. Even head coach Todd Bowles was forced to admit that his defense took plays off, resulting in harsh criticism in NFL circles.
Tampa signed notable free agents Alex Anzalone, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and A'Shawn Robinson to help the defense get back on track. In the draft, the Bucs used four of their first five picks on defensive players. Three of them, Rueben Bain Jr., Josiah Trotter, and Keionte Scott, are in line for major roles as rookies, with Bain looking like a superstar so far and expected to be the new face of Tampa's defense.
The offense wasn't ignored this offseason. The Bucs brought in Kenneth Gainwell to be Bucky Irving's new backfield mate. Tampa also drafted wide receiver Ted Hurst in the third round to help alleviate the loss of Mike Evans.
With all of these new players arriving in Tampa, which one did Dan Pompei of The Athletic choose as the Bucs' most intriguing newcomer?
None of them.
That honor went to Tampa's new offensive coordinator, Zac Robinson.
Despite all of the new talent the Bucs added on the field, Pompei still chose Robinson.
Why?
Pompei cites Robinson's experience as a play caller and his connection to Los Angeles Rams' HC Sean McVay and Baker Mayfield as his primary reasons for his pick.
"The Bucs are hoping Robinson’s experience makes a difference in their offense, which went into a tailspin last season under Josh Grizzard. Robinson has been a play caller for two years, so he has a feel for what can work and what might not. He also has experience working with Sean McVay and is expected to bring Rams concepts to Tampa, including emphasizing the player over the play. That could bode well for Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Bucky Irving and others. Robinson also worked briefly with Baker Mayfield in 2022, when Robinson was the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator of the Rams and Mayfield spent five games with the team, so he has a feel for his quarterback. — Dan Pompei"
Robinson should be able to help the offense improve significantly in 2026. However, the Bucs just having better luck with injuries this year will greatly improve the offense.
In 2025, the Bucs were without wide receivers Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., and 2026 breakout candidate Jalen McMillan for much of the season. The team also lost Irving for seven games and four of their five starting offensive linemen for at least five games.
Unless Robinson is also a doctor, I would have chosen Bain as my most intriguing newcomer. He was possibly the best defensive player in this year's draft, and his debut is the most anticipated by a Bucs' rookie in recent memory.
That said, I do believe Tampa's offense will flourish under Robinson, so I can't argue with his selection too much.
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After last year's late-season collapse cost Tampa a playoff spot, the team aggressively added several new players this offseason.
In free agency, the Bucs spent most of their resources on improving the defense, which did not meet the team's standard in 2025. Not only did the defense regress last year, but its effort has also been brought into question. Even head coach Todd Bowles was forced to admit that his defense took plays off, resulting in harsh criticism in NFL circles.
Tampa signed notable free agents Alex Anzalone, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and A'Shawn Robinson to help the defense get back on track. In the draft, the Bucs used four of their first five picks on defensive players. Three of them, Rueben Bain Jr., Josiah Trotter, and Keionte Scott, are in line for major roles as rookies, with Bain looking like a superstar so far and expected to be the new face of Tampa's defense.
The offense wasn't ignored this offseason. The Bucs brought in Kenneth Gainwell to be Bucky Irving's new backfield mate. Tampa also drafted wide receiver Ted Hurst in the third round to help alleviate the loss of Mike Evans.
With all of these new players arriving in Tampa, which one did Dan Pompei of The Athletic choose as the Bucs' most intriguing newcomer?
None of them.
That honor went to Tampa's new offensive coordinator, Zac Robinson.
Why Did Pompei Choose Robinson?
Despite all of the new talent the Bucs added on the field, Pompei still chose Robinson.
Why?
Pompei cites Robinson's experience as a play caller and his connection to Los Angeles Rams' HC Sean McVay and Baker Mayfield as his primary reasons for his pick.
"The Bucs are hoping Robinson’s experience makes a difference in their offense, which went into a tailspin last season under Josh Grizzard. Robinson has been a play caller for two years, so he has a feel for what can work and what might not. He also has experience working with Sean McVay and is expected to bring Rams concepts to Tampa, including emphasizing the player over the play. That could bode well for Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Bucky Irving and others. Robinson also worked briefly with Baker Mayfield in 2022, when Robinson was the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator of the Rams and Mayfield spent five games with the team, so he has a feel for his quarterback. — Dan Pompei"
Final Thoughts
Robinson should be able to help the offense improve significantly in 2026. However, the Bucs just having better luck with injuries this year will greatly improve the offense.
In 2025, the Bucs were without wide receivers Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., and 2026 breakout candidate Jalen McMillan for much of the season. The team also lost Irving for seven games and four of their five starting offensive linemen for at least five games.
Unless Robinson is also a doctor, I would have chosen Bain as my most intriguing newcomer. He was possibly the best defensive player in this year's draft, and his debut is the most anticipated by a Bucs' rookie in recent memory.
That said, I do believe Tampa's offense will flourish under Robinson, so I can't argue with his selection too much.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected
Continue reading...
