BREAKING: Falcons, Raheem Morris Hire Rams Coach Zac Robinson as Offensive Coordinator
The Atlanta Falcons' coaching staff under new head coach Raheem Morris has just landed perhaps its biggest addition.
Atlanta has hired Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator Zac Robinson to be its new offensive coordinator, according to NFL Network.
Jul 26, 2023; Irvine, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson during training camp at UC Irvine.
Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Falcons agreed to terms with Morris, previously the Rams' defensive coordinator, to be their next head coach on Jan. 25, ending an extensive search in the aftermath of Arthur Smith's firing on Jan. 7.
Morris and Robinson have a close relationship, and the former had the latter on his list of assistant coaches during the interview cycle, per Sports Illustrated.
Prior to accepting the job in Atlanta, Robinson received interest from several other teams for their offensive coordinator openings, including the Las Vegas Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints.
Robinson, 37, has spent the past five seasons in Los Angeles, serving as assistant quarterbacks coach in 2019 and 2021, assistant receivers coach in 2020 and quarterbacks coach and pass game coordinator the past two years.
Rams quarterback Carson Wentz, who was signed as a free agent halfway through the season, worked closely with Robinson while getting up to speed within Los Angeles' offense and walked away impressed with the experience.
“Working with Coach Robinson has been a lot of fun, getting to know him personally but then also just all the extra work we get after practice,” Wentz said. “He's been awesome. He's been nothing but help and all my questions, I've just probably felt like I'm driving him nuts.
“But it's been fun to get to work with him - he's an awesome guy and he definitely understands this game, understands this scheme, and has been an awesome resource for me.”
Prior to his time with the Rams, Robinson worked at Pro Football Focus as a senior analyst, evaluating both pro and collegiate quarterbacks.
Robinson was a three-year starter at quarterback for Oklahoma State University, where he attended from 2005-2009, and was selected by the New England Patriots in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft.
He also enjoyed brief professional stints with the Seattle Seahawks, Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals.
In Atlanta, Robinson will take over an offense that ranked No. 17 in total yards per game, No. 26 in points, No. 22 in passing yards and No. 9 in rushing yards.
The Falcons return several key players from the unit, including a trio of playmakers - tight end Kyle Pitts, receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson - still on rookie contracts.
Further, each of Atlanta's starting five offensive linemen are under contract for next season, giving Robinson a strong foundation to build from.
The biggest challenge ahead for Robinson is figuring out quarterback, where the Falcons currently have Desmond Ridder, Taylor Heinicke and Logan Woodside under contract, but owner Arthur Blank dubbed their performance this past season as "deficient."
Smith was fired in part due to the offense's inconsistency and an inability to consistently involve the weapons at his disposal.
Now, it's Robinson's turn to fix it - which makes him a particularly integral piece to Morris's first coaching staff in Atlanta.
