Is Greg Roman a Problem for the Chargers?

When Jim Harbaugh was announced as head coach of the Chargers in the 2024 offseason, it didn’t take long for a familiar name to join him in Los Angeles.

Greg Roman, a longtime friend and former colleague, was brought on as offensive coordinator. The move sparked mixed reactions, especially among fans of Roman’s former teams.

Roman most recently held the same position in Baltimore, where he served four seasons. Although he oversaw some impressive highs, notably Lamar Jackson’s 2019 MVP campaign, his tenure ended poorly. Many fans grew frustrated with Roman’s predictability, limited passing concepts, and late-game inefficiencies. By the time he resigned in 2022, a significant portion of the fanbase had been demanding a change for over a year.

Still, for the Chargers, Roman’s hiring made a certain kind of sense. With nearly three decades of NFL coaching experience and a reputation for establishing dominant rushing attacks, he brought much-needed stability to a franchise that has shuffled through offensive coordinators during Justin Herbert’s short career. Roman is the fourth OC Herbert has worked with in five seasons— not ideal for a young, developing quarterback. Whether Roman can simultaneously help Herbert keep the offense afloat and break free from predictability remains to be seen.

A History of Highs and Lows

Greg Roman has a clear offensive identity: run-heavy, physical, and often successful, at least initially. Yet, each of his coordinator stints has ended the same way: with criticism, regression, and questions about his passing game.

Roman landed his first OC job in San Francisco under Jim Harbaugh (2011–2014). His offense helped the 49ers reach consecutive NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance in 2012. Colin Kaepernick thrived in Roman’s system during that stretch. But by 2014, the offense ranked just 25th in scoring, and Roman was fired after the team finished 8–8.

In Buffalo (2015–2016), Roman built the league’s No. 1 rushing offense. However, the passing attack ranked near the bottom. After a 0–2 start in 2016, the Bills fired Roman immediately after the team photo— a move that spoke volumes about the team’s attitude toward his unimpressive tenure.

Baltimore was Roman’s longest stop (2019–2022), where he designed an offense around Lamar Jackson. In 2019, the Ravens ranked first in scoring and rushing. But by 2022, the Ravens’ offense was less electric, and holes in Roman’s perceived ability started to be pointed out more. The passing game drew heavy criticism from analysts and fans. Roman resigned after the season.

In each city, the pattern was the same: early wins followed by impatient calls for change.

A Fit in Los Angeles?

Greg Roman’s offense has historically been built for the run. Justin Herbert’s game is built around his consensus top-five arm. That contrast was at the heart of the criticism surrounding Roman’s hire.

Roman’s scheme has worked best with mobile quarterbacks (Colin Kaepernick, Tyrod Taylor, Lamar Jackson). All three thrived in designed runs and quick-read passes. Herbert, while athletic, is primarily a pocket passer with indispensable arm talent.

That’s not typically Roman’s style. His passing offenses have ranked in the bottom third of the league multiple times during his career. In 2020 and 2021, Baltimore finished 32nd and 28th, respectively, in passing yards per game. Wide receivers in Roman’s offense seem to be frustrated by limited routes and low target shares.

The Chargers have invested heavily in their passing game. Justin Herbert has a $262.5 million contract. They drafted Ladd McConkey in the second round in 2024 and added Tre Harris and KeAndre Lambert-Smith in 2025. Though Roman appeared to quickly move away from a run-heavy plan early in the season, he’ll need to prove he can permanently adjust his approach and build a more dynamic, receiver-focused offense.

To his credit, Roman appears to constantly tailor the offense to Herbert’s strengths. While Herbert is unlike any QB Roman has worked with before, he still manages to produce classic highlight-reel deep balls. Additionally, Herbert was the Chargers’ third-leading rusher in 2024 and posted his highest rushing stats to date.

Pressure Builds Quickly

Greg Roman was hired because Jim Harbaugh trusts him. But if Roman’s NFL career has proven anything, it’s that the league runs on results, not loyalty.

If Herbert struggles like he did in the Texans’ playoff loss or the offense stalls during the regular season, Roman’s leash could be shorter than expected. Harbaugh may back him publicly, but mounting pressure and front office urgency could force change. Especially with Herbert in his prime, and Harbaugh’s dedication to him, there’s no time for a rebuild year.

Roman must show that this isn’t just Harbaugh nostalgia, it’s a fit that must work in 2025 and beyond.

The Verdict: Still TBD

Greg Roman’s first year in Los Angeles gave both sides of the debate something to latch onto. The Chargers ran the ball with noticeably more physicality. The offensive line appeared more cohesive. And Herbert, at times, operated efficiently within a more structured system.

But those concerns didn’t vanish. The passing game lacked explosiveness in critical moments. Receiver usage was uneven. And when the Chargers needed to throw to win, the offense often looked inefficient and out of sync.

It’s clear Roman was brought in to help implement Harbaugh’s classic vision: tough, gritty football, built on a strong running game, dominant offensive lines, and ball control. That identity worked at Michigan… and even worked at times in San Francisco and Baltimore.

But Harbaugh didn’t take the Chargers job to rebuild a college-style run-first offense— he took it because of Justin Herbert. He’s praised Herbert enough since taking the job to make that clear. Herbert is the franchise cornerstone, and if something’s not working, the team won’t move away from him. They’ll move away from the play-caller instead.

So, Roman’s job is simple, but not easy. He must build a system that reflects Harbaugh’s desire for physicality without wasting Herbert’s prime.

Year 2 will define whether that’s actually possible. Hopefully, Herbert will get to keep the same OC for more than two years this time around.