Were Michael Penix's issues all Zac Robinson's fault?  

In his first two games back, Michael Penix Jr. started to show not just his arm talent, but the ability to be consistent. Kirk Cousins has also looked good this season, leading the Raiders to a 3-1 record.

Meanwhile, in Tampa, things have not gone according to plan for Baker Mayfield, leaving him with an injury and a winless record. These quarterbacks have a common denominator: offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Was he the problem in Atlanta all along?

In Robinson’s two seasons as offensive coordinator in Atlanta, there was a reluctance to use his quarterbacks, especially Penix Jr. under center. Robinson preferred to stick to a pistol offense, believing it was best for the team and best for Penix Jr.

The offense produced inconsistent results, partly because of quarterback injuries, but it was lifted by the greatness of running back Bijan Robinson.

The scheme raised questions about veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins and young quarterback Penix Jr., but outside Atlanta, there was little pushback on Robinson.

The narrative was about Penix Jr.’s inability to play under center, though he had done so at the University of Washington. The conversation around the young quarterback became so overblown that some wondered whether he could even bend his knees.

There were also time management issues. Last season, Penix Jr. was often caught not knowing how much time was on the play clock. It seems as though it wasn’t a focal point of the offense.

The 2026 season has shown new versions of Penix Jr. and Cousins.

In his first two games back from injury, Penix Jr. has thrown two touchdowns, 479 passing yards with a 73.3% completion rating.

He’s done it with a mix of game management and gun-slinging, with very little misuse. Only one interception so far. Offensive coordinator Tommy Rees seems to be tailoring his playbook to showcase Penix Jr.’s strengths. Time management has also been better under Rees. There was a delay-of-game penalty, but unlike last season, he was aware and alert.

Cousins left Atlanta for the 2026 season, heading to Las Vegas. He currently has the Raiders 3-1 and has looked impressive while doing so, throwing for over a 1000 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Cousins definitely had great moments in Atlanta, but life was inconsistent. A three-and-out start in Vegas and a hard-fought loss in Week Four suggest the inconsistency may not have been on his part.

Meanwhile in Tampa, things haven’t gone according to plan for Baker Mayfield; not only has Tampa yet to win a game, but Mayfield also has a thumb injury in his throwing hand and will miss weeks.

Before his injury, things were not going well, and the complaints were about the offensive play calling.

For fans and media in Atlanta, the complaints and the on-field performance felt familiar. Predictable, lackluster plays, showing an unwillingness to tweak the scheme and ultimately not producing scoring drives, were all issues seen in Atlanta the previous two years.

Comparing each of these quarterbacks to themselves from the season before as well as to each other could lead to a conclusion that maybe Zac Robinson hinders offenses more than he helps them. In theory, he has an opportunity to prove that wrong with a long season ahead of him, but missing Mayfield for weeks won’t help the offense.