Former Eagles linebacker Emmanuel Acho isn’t afraid to go against the grain, and his latest suggestion for Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator vacancy is raising eyebrows - and maybe a few heart rates in the fanbase.
During an appearance on The SZN with Nick Foles and Evan Moore podcast, Acho tossed out a pair of names he believes the Eagles should consider. First up was former Giants head coach Brian Daboll, a name that makes sense on the surface. But it was Acho’s second candidate that really sparked conversation: Greg Roman.
“This is the one a lot of people are going to hate,” Acho admitted. “I love the man and I will stand on an island.”
That island might get lonely, but Acho is standing firm. And his reasoning? It comes down to fit - specifically, how Roman’s offensive philosophy could unlock another level for Jalen Hurts.
“Greg Roman helps maximize running quarterbacks,” Acho said, pointing to Roman’s track record. It’s a compelling list: Colin Kaepernick reaching a Super Bowl, Alex Smith reviving his career in San Francisco, and Lamar Jackson winning a unanimous MVP in Baltimore. Each quarterback brought mobility to the table, and Roman built offenses that leaned into that strength.
The idea here is simple: Roman’s system is tailor-made for a quarterback like Hurts. It’s built around the run game, play-action, and maximizing athleticism at the position. And for a team like the Eagles - who’ve consistently leaned on a punishing ground game - that identity could be reinforced, not reimagined.
Of course, Acho acknowledged the obvious caveat: “Do all defenses get adjusted to Greg Roman after a while? Sure.”
But he also pointed out Roman’s stability as a coordinator. “He’s never leaving to become a head coach,” Acho said.
For a team that’s cycled through offensive minds in recent years, that kind of continuity could be a major asset - especially for a quarterback still developing in key areas.
Acho didn’t stop there. He floated a bold hypothetical that adds another layer to the conversation: trading wide receiver A.J.
Brown to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for a second-round pick and tight end David Njoku. The rationale?
Roman’s system doesn’t require a deep stable of wideouts. Instead, it leans heavily on tight ends and a run-first identity.
“He only needs one good receiver,” Acho said, citing Roman’s preference for two-tight-end sets and a ground-and-pound approach that opens up play-action opportunities.
Now, whether or not the Eagles would actually part ways with Brown - one of the league’s most dynamic receivers - is a massive question in itself. But the suggestion does highlight the kind of philosophical shift Roman would bring to Philly’s offense.
It wouldn’t be about spreading the field with three or four wideouts. It would be about controlling the game on the ground, leaning into physicality, and using Hurts’ dual-threat ability to keep defenses guessing.
Roman, a New Jersey native who grew up in Ventnor, spent the last two seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers. He was let go on January 13 after the Chargers’ season ended with a wild-card loss to the Patriots.
Despite dealing with an injury-riddled offensive line, Roman’s offense still finished 12th in the NFL in total yards (333.8 per game), 18th in passing (212.2), and 12th in rushing (121.6). Not elite, but respectable - especially given the circumstances.
So, is Greg Roman the right fit for the Eagles? That’s up for debate. But what’s clear is that Acho sees a potential match between Roman’s system and Hurts’ skill set - a pairing that, in theory, could bring stability, identity, and maybe even a little old-school toughness back to Philly’s offense.
It’s a bold take. But sometimes, bold is exactly what a team needs.