The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cannot continue pretending their offensive struggles are simply a matter of execution. At some point, responsibility has to fall on the person designing the offense, calling the plays and finding ways to get the most out of the available personnel. For Zac Robinson, that responsibility is becoming increasingly difficult to defend. Through nine games, Tampa Bay has one of the least productive passing attacks in football, and the loss to Chicago exposed just how much this offense is holding the team back.
Tampa Bay entered its bye week averaging just 131.4 passing yards per game, ranking dead last in the NFL. Its passing success rate sits at 35.4 percent, while its EPA per dropback is also the worst in the league. This
is not simply an offense that occasionally struggles to move the football. It is an offense that has consistently failed to generate reliable production through the air. Frustratingly, the Buccaneers have demonstrated they can move the ball in other ways. Bucky Irving and the running game have provided a legitimate foundation, and the offensive line has shown it can create opportunities on the ground. But Robinson has not found a consistent way to make the passing game complement that strength. Instead, Tampa Bay has become increasingly predictable, putting more pressure on its defense to keep games competitive.
The Chicago game was another example. Tampa Bay had opportunities to take control, but the offense repeatedly settled for field goals and struggled to convert important downs. The defense forced five turnovers, giving the offense multiple chances to capitalize, yet the Buccaneers still walked away with a 27-24 loss. When a defense creates that many opportunities, scoring only 24 points should raise serious questions about the offensive approach. Robinson acknowledged after the game that the offense left too many plays on the field, pointing to drops, missed throws, missed reads, and other self-inflicted mistakes. Those issues are real, and Baker Mayfield's thumb injury has undoubtedly complicated things. But identifying problems is only part of the job. An offensive coordinator has to find solutions, adjust the scheme, and put his players in positions where they can succeed. There is also a bigger concern about what this offense is becoming. The Buccaneers are 3-6, but the defense has shown enough to suggest this roster can compete. The offense is becoming the obstacle. If Robinson can't turn things around during the bye week, Tampa Bay needs to seriously consider moving on from him. A team cannot expect to compete for a division title, much less a championship, while fielding one of the NFL's least effective passing offenses.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Zac Robinson's lack of results should be a fireable offense
