Rams QB Coach Zac Robinson to Call Plays vs. Broncos

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay will continue to delegate preseason play calling responsibilities against the Denver Broncos.

There is no better time for NFL teams to experiment than the preseason. Players on the roster bubble fighting for their jobs keep games intense. New roles and techniques can be tested, without the risk of a detrimental loss. Why should calling plays be any different?

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay will continue his tradition of handing off play-calling duties during Saturday’s preseason finale against the Denver Broncos. According to The Athletic, Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson will deliver the calls.

To my knowledge, Rams pass game coordinator/QBs coach Zac Robinson is also calling this week’s preseason game; added cool factor is Colorado is his home state. He called last week from the booth (his first call) and sounds like he’ll try out calling from the sideline this week.

— Jourdan Rodrigue (@JourdanRodrigue) August 24, 2023

Robinson is also the team’s pass game coordinator. Last week, Robinson called plays from the coach’s booth, where his angle of all 22 players grants him a perspective that is harder to find at ground level. The Rams lost to the Las Vegas Raiders, 34-17, and only generated 224 yards of offense.

Saturday, Robinson will take a new approach—the sideline. Some coaches prefer being on the field when the game is underway, as it is easier to get a feel for what’s happening. Similarly, being on the sideline makes taking input and giving advice more accessible. This also allows McVay to hone in on details he would otherwise miss.

This experiment allows younger coaches to gain experience that is generally not afforded to them. Eastbound, Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Thomas Brown was granted a share of the play-calling responsibilities, loosening head coach Frank Reich’s grip on the offense.

“I think being able to have that opportunity, that experience, is great for my development,” Brown said. “But also so [Reich and I] can be on the same page as well.”

The Arizona Cardinals even let quarterback Kyler Murray put on the headset for a preseason game a year ago.

The preseason is all about opportunities, and there is no reason why that shouldn’t extend to the coaching staff. Don’t be surprised when the camera cuts to Robinson collaborating with rookie quarterback Stetson Bennett on the sideline Saturday night. 

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You can follow Anthony Licciardi on Twitter @ALiccScouting

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