The Los Angeles Chargers are hitting the reset button on offense-again. After a season that saw their scoring attack stall out at the worst possible time, the team has parted ways with offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
Hired in 2024 to help unlock the full potential of Justin Herbert and elevate the unit, Roman lasted just two seasons. Two playoff appearances, two early exits, and far too many offensive misfires later, the Chargers are officially in the market for a new play-caller.
Now, the spotlight turns to the next phase of this franchise's evolution-and how head coach Jim Harbaugh plans to steer it.
At the center of this conversation, of course, is Herbert. He’s the franchise quarterback, the face of the team, and the one tasked with executing whatever scheme the next coordinator installs.
You’d think that might earn him a seat at the table during the hiring process. But Harbaugh made it clear: that’s not how he operates.
“He’s not looking to be the GM or the coach,” Harbaugh said, per The Athletic. “It’s our responsibility to put him in the best position possible.”
Translation: Herbert’s job is to play quarterback. The coaching staff’s job is to build the system around him. And while that might raise some eyebrows in an era where elite QBs often have input on major offensive decisions, Harbaugh is sticking to his old-school approach.
To be fair, something had to change. The Chargers’ offense was a no-show in the playoffs, managing just three points against a Patriots defense that, while solid, shouldn’t have been able to completely neutralize a team with Herbert under center.
The offensive line struggled to open lanes in the run game and couldn’t keep Herbert upright. But this wasn’t all on the trenches.
Herbert, for his part, didn’t play up to his standard, missing throws he usually hits and failing to generate any rhythm. It was a collective breakdown, and it capped off a season where the offense never quite looked cohesive.
Roman’s play-calling came under fire throughout the year, and not without reason. One of the long-standing criticisms from his time in Baltimore followed him to LA-his tendency to abandon the run game.
That pattern reemerged at the worst times this season, leaving the Chargers one-dimensional and predictable. The passing game, meanwhile, lacked the creativity and structure needed to consistently move the chains.
For a quarterback of Herbert’s caliber, that’s a recipe for frustration.
Now the challenge becomes finding the right voice to lead this offense. One that can maximize Herbert’s arm talent, get the most out of the run game, and bring balance to a unit that’s been out of sync for too long.
Year 3 of the Harbaugh-Herbert era is shaping up to be a pivotal one. The excitement of last season’s surprise playoff berth has faded.
The expectations are no longer about just getting to the postseason-they’re about making noise once they’re there. And that won’t happen unless the offense finds its identity.
The next offensive coordinator won’t just be calling plays. They’ll be tasked with unlocking the version of Herbert that can go toe-to-toe with the AFC’s elite. It’s a high-stakes hire, and the Chargers know it.