The Sporting Tribune's Fernando Ramirez writes that after firing his friend, Greg Roman, Jim Harbaugh needs to nail the offensive coordinator and offensive line coaching hires.
The Chargers have fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman and offensive line coach Mike Devlin, the team announced.
Offensively, it simply wasn’t good enough in 2025. After Sunday’s 16–3 Wild Card loss to the New England Patriots, there was no realistic path for Jim Harbaugh to retain Roman even after back-to-back 11-6 seasons.
In two playoff games under Harbaugh, the Chargers offense scored just 15 total points, with Ladd McConkey’s 86-yard touchdown reception standing as the lone offensive touchdown.
So why did Harbaugh have to fire his friend?
Justin Herbert.
Herbert was under constant pressure all season, and it reached a breaking point in the Wild Card game.
During the regular season, Herbert was pressured on 268 snaps, hit 129 times, and sacked 60 times. Time and again, he was knocked to the ground—sometimes left crawling—only to get back up and continue making plays.
Yes, the Chargers lost both tackles, Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, early in the season. But there were no meaningful adjustments to compensate.
That failure was magnified in the playoffs.
Robin Alam - The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh looks on during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, on Sunday December 21, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.
Against New England, Herbert was pressured 30 times, sacked six times and finished 2-for-13 on third and fourth downs. This came despite the Chargers ranking as a top-four third-down offense during the regular season, converting at a 44% clip.
Creativity was lacking throughout the year. Too often, receivers were occupying the same areas of the field, or the offense leaned into jumbo run concepts without the offensive line talent to support them.
Multiple wins this season came not because of the system, but because of Herbert’s toughness.
In Week 3, with Nik Bonitto bearing down on him, Herbert delivered a game-winning touchdown to Keenan Allen. In Week 6, with a Dolphins defender draped over him, Herbert found McConkey, who turned upfield for a 42-yard gain to set up a 33-yard Cameron Dicker field goal.
There were countless examples of Herbert overcoming poor offensive line play.
Now, Harbaugh will search for both an offensive coordinator and an offensive line coach. The team will retain assistant offensive line coach, and Chargers legend, Nick Hardwick, according to Mike Garafolo.
These hires are critical.
Harbaugh needs an offensive coordinator who can maximize Herbert, similar to what he had under Joe Lombardi. The offense wasn’t always pretty, but statistically, those were Herbert’s most productive seasons.
Two names that should be at the top of the Chargers’ list are Mike McDaniel and Brian Daboll. Daboll excelled while working with Josh Allen in Buffalo, while McDaniel is one of the league’s most innovative offensive minds. McDaniel may be a short-term option, but his scheme would fundamentally change the offense.
The Chargers do have offensive talent to build around: McConkey, Omarion Hampton, Tre Harris, Oronde Gadsden, Quentin Johnston, and KeAndre Lambert-Smith. It’s a starting point, though upgrades are still needed in the pass-catching group.
Chandler Mixon / The Sporting Tribune
Los Angeles Chargers Justin Herbert (10) throws during warm-ups before a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Dec. 8, 2024 in Kansas City, MO.
Along the offensive line, Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater should return, with Zion Johnson at least deserving discussion. Beyond that, changes are necessary. The team’s “big splash” free-agent signing, right guard Mekhi Becton, allowed pressure on 8.6% of pass plays, one of the worst rates in the league.
Harbaugh may also need to prepare for a potential opening on the defensive side, as defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has interviewed with multiple teams. But first, the offense must be fixed.
Harbaugh has said he wants to help Herbert win multiple championships and one day reach the Hall of Fame.
This is the moment.
If Harbaugh is going to make that vision a reality, he has to nail these hires.
Category: General Sports
