Defending LA's Offensive Coaching Hires

Your Los Angeles Chargers have been making some big moves this offseason, particularly on the coaching front. With a series of high-profile hires, the team aims to revamp its coaching staff and inject new energy into the organization. 

One notable addition to the Chargers' coaching lineup is Greg Roman, the team's new offensive coordinator. Roman comes to the Chargers with an impressive resume, having previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.

Not all hires are viewed as wins by fans and other pundits, but that's not the case with The Athletic's Dbie Popper. He is optimistic about Roman's potential impact on the team and will give him a chance before criticizing the hire. 

"I can understand the sentiment that Roman was not an inspired hire. But I am very much in wait-and-see mode when it comes to the offense. If Justin Herbert is hamstrung by the offensive system and play calling, then I will certainly criticize that when it is called for. I just need to see it first. Roman most recently spent four seasons as the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2022 under John Harbaugh. The Ravens were the best rushing team in football over that span by EPA per designed rush, according to TruMedia. They ranked 15th in EPA per dropback. Overall, they ranked fourth in EPA per play. Jim Harbaugh is not John Harbaugh. John came up as a defense and special teams coach. Jim played 14 years of quarterback in the league. A Roman offense filtered through Jim Harbaugh will be different from a Roman offense filtered through John Harbaugh. The Brady hiring needs to be considered in this conversation. His sole role is passing game coordinator. He will not be responsible for any specific position. In 2018, Brady was the assistant quarterbacks coach for the Andrew Luck-led Indianapolis Colts. Luck threw for nearly 4,600 yards and 39 touchdowns that season. Jim Harbaugh, of course, coached Luck at Stanford. The Chargers invested in Harbaugh. They should trust him to build a staff. He is a smart enough coach to know what he has in Herbert. The idea that Harbaugh would install a scheme that actively limits Herbert’s obvious arm talent feels misguided to me. Harbaugh also brought back Shane Day, who was Herbert’s quarterbacks coach in 2021 and 2022."

via The Athletic's Dbie Popper

During his four-year tenure with the Ravens, Roman played a key role in shaping one of the NFL's top-ranked rushing offenses. Under his guidance, the Ravens averaged an impressive 175.2 rushing yards per game, showcasing Roman's ability to optimize offensive production.

In addition to his success with the Ravens, Roman has accumulated a wealth of experience over his 25-year coaching career in the NFL. With a decade of experience as an offensive coordinator, Roman has honed his skills and earned recognition for his contributions to the teams he's worked with. 

Notably, he was named the NFL's Assistant Coach of the Year in 2019 by the Associated Press, following a stellar season with the Ravens that saw them achieve a franchise-best 14-2 record.

One of the key factors in Roman's hiring is his longstanding relationship with the Chargers' head coach, Jim Harbaugh. The two have worked together closely in the past, particularly during their time with the San Francisco 49ers. This familiarity and shared vision for offensive strategy bode well for the Chargers as they look to elevate their offensive game under Roman's leadership.

With his track record of success and the trust of his coaching peers, Roman has the potential to take the Chargers' offense to new heights.

Success won't come without its challenges, and the Chargers may encounter obstacles along the way. However, with Roman at the helm and Harbaugh's leadership, there's reason to believe that the Chargers' offense is poised for a resurgence in the upcoming season. 

As the team prepares for the journey ahead, fans can look forward to seeing how Roman's expertise and strategic approach will shape the Chargers' offensive identity.