The Detroit Lions are on the hunt for a new offensive coordinator, and one candidate stands out for a surprising reason: he has a history with quarterback Jared Goff. But here's where it gets intriguing—Zac Robinson, the former Falcons offensive coordinator, is set to interview for the position, and his past connection with Goff could be a game-changer. According to Ian Rapoport, Robinson will meet with the Lions on Thursday, marking the fifth publicly known candidate in their search.
Robinson’s journey in the NFL coaching ranks began in 2019 with the Rams under the mentorship of Sean McVay. What’s fascinating is his direct involvement with Jared Goff, serving as his assistant quarterbacks coach for three seasons. This experience not only highlights Robinson’s coaching versatility but also gives him a unique edge in understanding Goff’s strengths and weaknesses. After climbing the ranks to passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2022-23, Robinson followed former Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris to Atlanta, where he took on the role of offensive coordinator.
But here’s the part most people miss: Robinson’s coaching philosophy aligns closely with the Lions’ West Coast scheme, which adapts to player strengths and incorporates multiple run-blocking strategies. This adaptability, combined with his familiarity with Goff, could make him a seamless fit for Detroit. And let’s not forget—Robinson is no stranger to quarterback development, having worked with Goff during his tenure with the Rams.
A former NFL quarterback himself, drafted in the seventh round in 2010, Robinson’s coaching career is still relatively young, yet he’s already made waves. In his first year as Atlanta’s offensive coordinator, he led the 13th-best scoring offense in the league with Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix at the helm. While the offense dipped to 24th in scoring this past season, one element remained consistent: a dominant running game powered by star running back Bijan Robinson, who amassed a league-high 2,298 yards from scrimmage and earned First-Team All-Pro honors.
At 39, Robinson is considered a rising star in this coaching cycle, and he’s already interviewed for the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator position earlier this week. But here’s the controversial question: Does his relatively short coaching resume outweigh the potential benefits of his familiarity with Goff and his proven ability to adapt schemes? Erik Schlitt discussed this very topic in our Pride of Detroit Direct end-of-season mailbag podcast, and it’s a debate worth exploring.
For a deeper dive into all the Lions’ coaching candidates, check out our 2026 Lions coaching news tracker. And now, we turn it over to you—do you think Zac Robinson is the right fit for the Lions? Let us know in the comments below!
