Chargers OC Greg Roman's plan to Justin Herbert: Run the ball

COSTA MESA, Calif. — Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman told reporters Thursday that he is confident the Chargers will establish a consistent offense, which he expects 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 it might look like. This is kind of a vision.”

The Chargers last had a rushing attack more than a decade ago, ranking outside the top 10 in rushing yards per game every season since 2007. The Chargers rank 24th in rushing YPG, and average… Austin Ekeler has the fewest yards per carry (3.5). of his professional life.

“I think in this league, you can really help dictate defenses if you have a strong offense,” Roman said. “If you really talk to most of the defensive coordinators in this league and pull them to the side when they're playing a really good team, they're sweating it out a little bit. They're sleeping a little less this week.”

Roman, who was most recently the offensive coordinator with the Ravens in 2022, put together some of the most prolific rushing attacks in spurring quarterback Lamar Jackson to win the second unanimous Most Valuable Player award in NFL history in 2019. That same season, Roman won He 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) — 30 yards behind the next closest team — due in part to Jackson's mobility. Roman led a similar rushing attack when he last coached with Harbaugh with the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14, with the 49ers ranking second in the NFL during that span in rushing yards per game (139.3).

Herbert is not an immobile midfielder. That was evident last season on a 73-yard rushing touchdown against the Packers, the second-most of his career, or when he scrambled and taunted Raiders outside linebacker Maxx Crosby. However, Herbert is not the runner Colin Kaepernick or Jackson are.

Herbert is at his best when passing, which Roman acknowledged, saying his offense will never look the same as it did with Jackson and Kaepernick.

“It's going to be a little different,” Roman said. “I think you'll probably see a multiple running game. You'll probably see the use of moves and transitions, and then you'll see a very diverse passing game.”

“…Right now, everyone has a blank slate of what we can be or what we can do. It could be anything right now. Our principles and what we do offensively won't change, but how you get back on the field will.”

However, Roman does not reject the idea of ​​any tours designed for Herbert next season.

“We'll give it to anyone who can get yards,” Roman said. “And then is Justin going to run the ball? … It'll probably be a scrambler. Are we going to have some of those other things in our back pocket? That remains to be seen.”