Chargers’ OC Defends Flawed Offense, Analysts Call BS

Data from 2022 through 2025 illustrates the struggles of Roman’s scheme:

• Pass rate dropped from 64.9% in 2022 to 55.96% in 2025.
• Completion percentage fell from 67.17% to 62.75%.
• EPA per pass play shifted from +0.018 to -0.031.

Quarterback Justin Herbert continues to produce high-volume numbers, including 28 touchdown passes in 2025, but the offense struggles in critical situations. Third-down conversion rates sit at 35.5%, and red-zone efficiency is below 24%.

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Contextual Challenges: Injuries and Personnel Issues

Roman has also been hampered by injuries to key offensive linemen like Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater, as well as underperforming free-agent additions such as Mekhi Becton. In certain games, the offense operates as if all personnel are available, resulting in disastrous outcomes, like the 35-6 loss to Jacksonville.

Despite these challenges, Roman’s system relies heavily on short passes (over 66% of attempts under 10 yards) while limiting deep passing opportunities, constraining Herbert’s ability to fully exploit his talents.

Expert Take: Nguyen on Roman

Nguyen emphasizes that Roman’s philosophy—treating receivers like extensions of the running game—struggles to succeed in today’s NFL passing environment. While theoretically creative, it produces predictable patterns that defenses can exploit.

While Roman’s route-spacing approach can create the occasional high-concept play, relying on it over an entire season tends to make the offense less efficient and more inconsistent.

As the Chargers navigate injuries and playoff expectations, Roman’s offensive approach—and the scrutiny surrounding his adaptability—remains a key storyline. Nguyen’s analysis suggests that without evolution, Roman risks wasting Herbert’s elite talent in a system ill-suited for modern passing attacks.