The Lions' latest offensive coordinator candidate has a history with Jared Goff.
Falcons OC Zac Robinson is flying to Detroit Thursday, per NFL Network, to interview for one of the top non-head-coaching vacancies in the league.
Robinson worked closely with Goff as assistant quarterbacks coach for the Rams in 2019. Robinson was also the team's assistant wide receivers coach the following year.
Those weren't Goff's best seasons in LA. Just the opposite, in fact, as Goff was on his way to being traded to Detroit in the 2021 offseason after losing the faith of Sean McVay.
Still, the existing relationship between Goff and Robinson, a former NFL quarterback who had a stint with the Lions in 2010 while never appearing in a game, likely has some appeal to Dan Campbell as he seeks a replacement for John Morton.
Maybe more importantly, Robinson called plays for the Falcons the past two seasons. He's unlikely to be back with Atlanta after the team fired head coach Raheem Morris, who brought Robinson with him from the Rams in 2024.
The Falcons' offense was better in Robinson's first season than his second, but had a solid rushing attack both years, another aspect that likely appeals to Campbell. The Lions' ground game wasn't nearly as consistent or efficient this season as in years past, mostly due to a weakened offensive line.
Atlanta was eighth in rushing yards this season led by Bijan Robinson, the only running back drafted ahead of Jahmyr Gibbs in 2023, while Detroit ranked 14th. Robinson's 591 carries over the last two seasons were the fourth most in the NFL.
The Falcons ranked 14th in total offense and 24th in scoring this season -- down from sixth and 13th last season -- as Michael Penix took over for Kirk Cousins as QB1 before Penix was injured midway through the year.