When former Falcons head coach Arthur Smith was in Atlanta, he served as the de facto offensive coordinator for all three seasons. While Smith helped give the offense an identity behind a strong ground game, he was ultimately doomed by poor quarterback play.
The Falcons dismissed Smith after the season, hiring Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as a replacement. Morris made the quarterback position a priority from Day 1. Aside from bringing in Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr., Morris named former Rams QB coach Zac Robinson the team’s new offensive coordinator.
Robinson comes from an impressive coaching tree under Morris and Rams head coach Sean McVay. His knowledge and approach to the game have endeared him to his players.
“He’s a mastermind when it comes to football,” said Falcons running back Bijan Robinson during an interview with NFL reporter Kay Adams. Asked what makes his new offensive coordinator different, Robinson said it came down to communication.
“What makes him different is like if we have an input on something, he’s going to listen to it and he might implement it like the next day and try it,” explained Robinson. “And I think that’s how you become a really good offense.”
New @AtlantaFalcons OC Zac Robinson I was not familiar with your game…
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) August 20, 2024
Loved hearing this from @Bijan5Robinson and you just know he’s gonna have a career year pic.twitter.com/YRkMoqshsO
Robinson’s comments imply that Smith wasn’t open to player input during the running back’s rookie season. The No. 8 pick in the 2023 NFL draft rushed for 976 yards and four touchdowns, adding 58 receptions for 487 receiving yards and another four scores.
Smith, who was hired as the Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator, was often criticized for not giving his young running back the ball enough last season. Robinson emphasized he had no hard feelings against Smith, who will return to Atlanta in Week 1 when the Falcons face the Steelers.
“Art, that’s still my dog,” Robinson told Adams. “I wish him big success over there.”
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