That question is getting louder now that Zac Robinson is no longer running the Falcons offense. In 2024, Robinson worked as Atlanta’s offensive coordinator under Raheem Morris, and the unit never settled into a consistent rhythm. The argument from SportsTalk ATL is simple: the problem may have been the scheme as much as the quarterbacks.
It is an important discussion because it changes how people should evaluate both Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr. Rather than treating Atlanta’s offensive inconsistency as proof that the quarterbacks were the only issue, the Falcons’ year under Robinson suggests the structure of the offense may have limited what the team could do.
What changed after Atlanta moved on from Robinson?
The contrast starts with Cousins. Last season, he had 10 touchdown passes in 10 games under Zac Robinson. This season, after becoming the starter in Las Vegas, Cousins and the Raiders have gone 3-1. That does not automatically erase what happened in Atlanta, but it does complicate the idea that the quarterback alone was responsible for the Falcons’ offensive problems.
Penix has also offered a different kind of evidence. Through two games this season, Michael Penix Jr. has completed 73.3% of his passes. On October 6, 2026, Mina Kimes noted that Penix had been under center on 40% of dropbacks and had gone 6-for-8 for 102 yards and a touchdown. That kind of efficiency does not prove Atlanta’s issues are solved, but it does show the offense can look cleaner when the quarterback and structure are working together.
Why the scheme question matters
One of the broader criticisms of Robinson’s time in Atlanta was the heavy use of the pistol formation. When an offense leans too heavily on one look or one approach, it can become easier for defenses to anticipate what is coming. That is especially true when opponents can settle in and identify tendencies over time.
The timing of the pressure matters, too. In Week 3, Brian Flores and Vikings defenders were calling out the Buccaneers' offensive plays, another reminder that NFL defenses quickly learn to recognize patterns when an offense is too predictable. The Falcons’ struggles last season fit that same general concern: if the system is too rigid, even a talented quarterback can look limited.
Now Robinson is with the Buccaneers as offensive coordinator, and his next test will be whether daily work against Todd Bowles helps sharpen his approach. A separate report has already pointed to that challenge, and it adds another layer to the Falcons discussion. If Robinson grows from the experience, it may reinforce the idea that Atlanta’s problems were rooted in the offense around Cousins and Penix, not just the players themselves.
That is why the Zac Robinson debate matters. If the offense was the issue, then Atlanta’s evaluation of last season should be more nuanced. And if Penix continues to produce while Cousins stays efficient elsewhere, the Falcons will have even more reason to believe the scheme was a major part of the problem.
