The Los Angeles Chargers’ season came to an end in Foxborough, mostly because the offense was nonexistent.
As Sports Illustrated noted, after the game, Jim Harbaugh sent a strong message on one member of his coaching staff.
Asked directly whether offensive coordinator Greg Roman is the right play-caller going forward, Harbaugh didn’t rush to defend one of his longest-tenured coaches.
“I don’t have that answer right now,” Harbaugh said repeatedly after the Chargers’ 16-3 Wild Card loss to the Patriots.
“We’re going to look at that, at everything. We weren’t good enough as a team. That’s on me.”
Harbaugh was given multiple opportunities to publicly back Roman.
Each time, the response stayed the same. “I don’t have the answers,” he said. “I wish I did.”
For a coach known for his loyalty and honesty, these answers raised immediate questions about Greg Roman’s future in Los Angeles.
Chargers’ Offense Struggles Against Patriots
The numbers from Sunday night were brutal.
The Chargers managed just three points, 207 total yards, and went 1-for-10 on third down.
Justin Herbert was sacked six times as he was always under pressure with little rhythm or protection, a familiar story that’s lasted all season long.
Advanced metrics painted an even bleaker picture.
According to PFF, the Chargers’ five lowest offensive grades against New England were:
- Justin Herbert: 29.7
- Center Bradley Bozeman: 41.3
- Fullback Scott Matlock: 42.6
- Left tackle Jamaree Salyer: 50.3
- Wide receiver Keenan Allen: 52.3
While the entire offense was bad, these numbers point to Justin Herbert’s struggles.
Herbert didn’t deflect blame. “I didn’t play well enough,” he said. “When it mattered most, we didn’t score any points.”
Roman’s Playoff Struggles
Still, this wasn’t a one-off.
Under Roman, across postseason games started by Lamar Jackson and Justin Herbert, Roman-led offenses are 1-5, completing just 55 percent of passes with two touchdowns and eight interceptions.
For coordinators tasked with maximizing generational talent, those results are dreadful.
In Roman’s last seven playoff games, his offenses have scored 23, 13, 17, 17, 12, 12, and 3 points, an average of 13.9 points per game.
That trend continued Sunday night, when a Chargers offense built around Herbert managed just three points and rarely threatened New England.
Perhaps most puzzling was the lack of offensive balance.
Roman’s system is traditionally run-heavy, yet the Chargers logged just 12 rushing attempts from their running backs for 30 yards.
This is where frustration with the Harbaugh-Roman partnership resurfaces.
Roman has followed the Harbaugh family for years, from Stanford to San Francisco to Baltimore and now Los Angeles.
Loyalty has kept the pairing intact, but the results in January have not followed.
Injuries to Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater undoubtedly hurt the Chargers all season, but those excuses only go so far when the same postseason failures keep repeating themselves.
LA will face a major decision this offseason on whether to keep Greg Roman or move in a new direction.
Jim Harbaugh Sends Unsettling Message About Greg Roman’s Future With Chargers