Zac Robinson Talks Baker Mayfield’s Motivation Entering Crucial Buccaneers Season

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield remain tied together heading into a critical 2026 season.

Mayfield is entering the final year of the three-year contract he signed in March 2024.

Tampa Bay enters the season carrying plenty of motivation after last year’s collapse. The Buccaneers watched a promising campaign unravel before franchise legend Mike Evans departed in free agency for the San Francisco 49ers on a three-year deal. Evans reportedly sought another Super Bowl opportunity late in his career.

Buccaneers offensive coordinator Zac Robinson already knows Mayfield well. Robinson previously served as Mayfield’s passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach during the quarterback’s stint with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022.

Speaking with reporters Tuesday, Robinson discussed the mentality Mayfield has brought into the offseason program.

Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers have an edge after late-season collapse

“That word exactly,” Robinson responded, via JoeBucsFan. “You can tell this group has an edge, which you want to keep that edge. You know, things didn’t go down the way that you would hope last season, obviously.”

The Buccaneers entered their bye week last season with a 6-2 record before everything unraveled. Tampa Bay dropped seven of its next eight games while Mayfield battled a significant injury to his non-throwing shoulder.

Months later, Evans appeared to take a subtle shot at both the organization and Mayfield. Before signing with San Francisco, Evans explained he looked “at contenders” and at teams “with good quarterbacks” during free agency.

Mayfield has built a reputation throughout his career for using criticism as motivation. Those comments could easily become added fuel entering the season.

Mayfield embracing another challenge

“That’s why we’re all here,” Robinson added. “So I think that Baker naturally already has that edge to him — and you can feel it even more. He’s been so intentional with his footwork and all the fundamentals and the details that [quarterbacks coach Chandler Whitmer] and our coaches are preaching to him.”

The Buccaneers reportedly hope to finalize a long-term extension with Mayfield before Week 1 arrives.

If a new contract is not completed, though, Mayfield would enter the year with even more motivation while effectively playing for his next deal.