This is a tough break: the Atlanta Falcons are hiring Zac Robinson as their offensive coordinator, taking the best-qualified candidate for the New Orleans Saints off the board. The Saints had sought a second interview with Robinson, per the MMQB’s Albert Breer, but he’s no longer available.
Robinson had one of the strongest resumes among coaches the Saints had interviewed for their vacancy — his success as the Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach speaks for itself, and he’s landing in a good spot to install the Sean McVay-style offense. Atlanta has spent years investing premium draft picks at the skills positions (selecting playmakers like running back Bijan Robinson, wide receiver Drake London, and tight end Kyle Pitts) and Robinson should get the most out of them.
At least, if Atlanta can find a quarterback. That’s the challenge facing Robinson, new head coach Raheem Morris, and general manager Terry Fontenot (a former Mickey Loomis lieutenant) this offseason. If they can’t get that right they’ll be out of work just like Arthur Smith and the Falcons coaches who came before him.
Losing out on Robinson hurts, but it’s easy to see why he’s choosing Atlanta. He and Morris have coached against one another every day at practice the last three years and they’ve won a lot of games together. Going with a known quantity over a new situation with the Saints is, in his mind, likely the safer call. So we’ll see how that works out for him. We’ll wish Robinson nothing but the worst with the Dirty Birds.
