COSTA MESA, Calif. – Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman told reporters Thursday that he is confident the Chargers will establish a consistent running offense, which he hopes to elevate quarterback Justin Herbert.
“Can you imagine Justin Herbert having a great running game?” Roman said. “…We don't know, but I can imagine what he would look like. So that's the vision.”
The last time the Chargers had a feared rushing offense was more than a decade ago, ranking outside the top 10 in rushing yards per game every season since 2007. The Chargers finished 24th in rushing YPG, and running back Austin Ekeler averaged fewest yards per carry (3.5). of his career.
“I think in this league, you can really help dictate defenses if you have a strong running game,” Roman said. “If you actually talk to most defensive coordinators in this league and put them aside when they play a really good running team, they're sweating a little bit. They're sleeping a little less that week.”
Roman, who most recently served as the Ravens' offensive coordinator in 2022, assembled some of the most prolific rushing offenses to propel quarterback Lamar Jackson to the second unanimous MVP award in NFL history in 2019. That same season , Roman won the AP. Assistant of the Year Award.
During Roman's four seasons with the Ravens (2019-2022), they led the league in rushing yards per game (175.2), a 30-yard difference between the next closest team, in part due to Jackson's mobility. Roman led a similar rushing offense the last time he coached with Harbaugh with the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014, where the 49ers were second in the NFL during that span in rushing yards per game (139.3).
Herbert is not an immobile quarterback; That was evident last season in his 73 rushing yards against the Packers, the second most of his career, or when he wrestled and shook Raiders outside linebacker Maxx Crosby. Herbert, however, is not the running back that Colin Kaepernick or Jackson are.
Herbert is at his best when he passes, which Roman acknowledged, saying his offense wouldn't look like it has under Jackson and Kaepernick.
“It's going to be a little different,” Roman said. “I think we'll probably see a multiple running game. We'll probably see the use of moves and switches, and then we'll see a pretty diverse passing game.
“…Right now, everyone has a blank slate of who we can be or what we can do. It could be anything right now, our principles and all that stuff about what we do offensively won't change, but how they come to life “In the future, the field will do it.”
Still, Roman doesn't rule out the idea of running races designed for Herbert next season.
“We'll give it to anyone who can gain yards,” Roman said. “And then Justin will run the ball? … He'll probably be more of a wrestler. Will we have some of those other things in our back pocket? He remains to be seen.”
