Chargers OC Greg Roman's plan for Justin Herbert: Run the ball
COSTA MESA, Calif. – Los Angeles Chargers Offensive coordinator Greg Roman told reporters Thursday he is confident the Chargers will build a consistent running offense that he expects will upgrade the 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. So that’s kind of the vision.”
The Chargers last had a fearsome rushing offense over a decade ago and have finished outside the top 10 in rushing yards per game every season since 2007. The Chargers ranked 24th in rushing YPG and running back Austin Ekeler averaged the fewest yards per carry (3.5) of his career.
“I think in this league you can really, really help dictate the defense if you have a strong running attack,” Roman said. “If you really talk to most defensive coordinators in this league and put them on the sidelines when they're playing against a really good running team, they sweat a little bit. “You sleep a little less this week.”
Roman, who was most recently the Ravens' offensive coordinator in 2022, put together some of the most productive rushing offenses at sparking quarterback Lamar Jackson to win 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 from the next closest team – due in part to Jackson's mobility. Roman led a similar rushing offense the last time he practiced with Harbaugh San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014, where the 49ers were second in the NFL in rushing yards per game (139.3) during that span.
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 scrambled and hurried the Raiders outside linebacker Max Crosby. However, Herbert is not the runner like Colin Kaepernick or Jackson.
Herbert is at his best in the passing game, which Roman admitted and said his offense wouldn't look like it did with Jackson and Kaepernick.
“It’s going to be a little different,” Roman said. “I think you’ll probably see a multi-run game. You’ll probably see the use of movement and shifts, and then you’ll see some pretty varied passing.”
“…Right now everyone has a blank slate about who we can be or what we can do. It could be anything right now, our principles and whatever we do offensively won't change, but how they come to life on the field will.
Still, Roman doesn't reject the idea of scheduled runs for Herbert next season.
“We give it to anyone who can gain yards,” Roman said. “So will Justin run the ball?
