Prior to December of 2022, Zac Robinson had a healthy respect for Baker Mayfield that was born out or rivalry – Robinson played at Oklahoma State, Mayfield at Oklahoma, though not at the same time – and long-distance admiration of his game. The full Mayfield scouting report wasn’t complete for Robinson, however, until Mayfield joined the Los Angeles Rams near the end of a strange 2022 season.
Mayfield spent most of that season with the Panthers, having been traded to Carolina by Cleveland after the Browns acquired Deshaun Watson. However, Carolina waived him during their Week 13 bye and the Rams, who were without an injured Matthew Stafford, quickly claimed him. Famously, Mayfield arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening and, roughly 48 hours later, played all but one drive against Las Vegas, eventually leading the Rams on a 98-yard game-winning touchdown drive on Thursday Night Football.
Robinson, at the time the pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach on Sean McVay’s staff, gave Mayfield a script of about 20-25 plays on Tuesday evening, then met with him the next morning. It was then that Robinson gained an appreciation of the quarterback’s makeup that equaled what he already felt about his physical skills.
“It was like at 10 o’clock at night [when Mayfield got the plays] and he came in the next day and I saw his notebook – we had a bathroom break, [so] I saw his notebook – he had highlighters everywhere, color-coded,” recalled Robinson. “Right away, I was like, ‘Okay, I know the player, I know the talent, but he’s made of all the right stuff.’ Obviously, that time that 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.”
The group to which Robinson was referring was the cast of blocker and playmakers that he will now be in charge of molding into a prolific unit as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ new offensive coordinator. A glimpse at the Buccaneers’ depth chart would tell Robinson all he needs to know about the talent at his disposal, and his previous experience with Mayfield makes him certain they will come together as a cohesive and determined group.