FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson will call plays from the sideline moving forward into Week 4 of the 2025 season, Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris announced Monday.

Robinson has called plays from the coaches' booth since he joined the team in 2024.

This change comes after the Falcons lost to the Carolina Panthers, 30-0, and did not reach the red zone once during their Week 3 road contest. The Falcons host the Washington Commanders, who have allowed an average of 19 points to offenses this season, inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday. Atlanta then has a Week 5 bye.

"We'll move Zac down to the field," Morris said, "to be able to get a little cleaner communication for him, to be able to get it to (quarterback Michael Penix Jr.) if something does happen along those lines, to be able to be more visual and see the quarterback and to be able to do some of those different things to have him have a clear line of communication with Mike, to be able to help him out a little bit more.

"We definitely hold some responsibility in those things, and we'll go out and do those things. We'll correct those things this week, we'll correct them throughout the process. It's how we practice. It's how we do walk-throughs. It's how we do everything else. So, we'll get Zac closer."

The Falcons hold a 1-2 record with an offense that ranks sixth in rushing yards per game (139.3), 13th in total yards per game (338.7) and 18th in passing yards per game (199.3). The unit has scored three touchdowns total, none of which were from a wide receiver or tight end, and the Falcons rank 31st with an average of 14 points per game.

Even though Atlanta won, it's offense wasn't flawless in the Week 2 road game against the Minnesota Vikings. U.S. Bank Stadium was a very loud environment, and the noise caused some operational challenges.

Then, in Carolina, Penix had difficulties with his headset at Bank of America Stadium. It went out and prevented him from getting play calls early on. The issue was fixed once brought to the refs' attention.

Morris refused to use either as an excuse for the mishaps. The Falcons still won in Minnesota but lost in Carolina. Moving Robinson to sideline with Penix, though, could help in either situation should one arise again.

"Those two got a great relationship out on the practice field, out in the game day, out in everything," Morris said. "So, getting him closer to the action, getting him closer to the environment, getting him closer to the play-caller, getting him closer to all those guys — being able to get the reactions and get a feel for the temperament on the grass as well — I think all that will be helpful."

Before arriving in Atlanta, Robinson had never spent time in the coaches' booth. He was always on the sideline with the Los Angeles Rams, whether that be as their assistant quarterbacks coach in 2019 or as their passing game coordinator/quarterbacks coach in 2023. So, last year was a first for the first-time offensive coordinator.

Robinson noted ahead of the Falcons' 2024 season opener there are advantages and disadvantages with either approach. He went into Week 1 last year confident in the decision to call plays from the coaches' booth.

"You get to see everything up there," Robinson said. "You kind of got everything out in front of you if you want. Just organizationally, it's pretty clean. You do miss being on the field with the guys, feeling the flow of what that feels like in practice and when to go tempo sometimes, so you miss out on some of that. But just the organization that you have up there and just the kind of steadiness that the booth brings I thought was a pretty good deal."

The Falcons finished last season with an 8-9 record. Kirk Cousins was the Falcons' starting quarterback up until Week 16 when Penix took over. Cousins, however, is a veteran. Penix is only in his second season, and a younger quarterback may benefit more from an on-field presence.

Before this season started, Robinson left the door open as to whether he'd call plays from the sideline or coaches booth.

"Our communication has been so strong last year with where everybody was at," he said during training camp. "Obviously, we've got all the same coaches back, so we'll see where it goes. But yeah, I'll kind of make that decision when the time comes."

After a bigger sample size with the younger quarterback, what's best may be a different approach.