Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman expressed his optimism on Thursday regarding the team’s potential to establish a consistent running game, a development he believes will significantly benefit quarterback Justin Herbert.
“Can you imagine Justin Herbert with a great running game?” Roman pondered during his interaction with reporters. “We don’t know for sure, but I can certainly envision the possibilities. That’s the vision we’re working towards.”
The Chargers have been lacking a formidable rushing offense for more than a decade, consistently ranking outside the top 10 in rushing yards per game since 2007. Last season, they finished 24th in rushing yards per game, with running back Austin Ekeler posting the lowest yards per carry average (3.5) of his career.
“In this league, a strong running attack can truly dictate the pace against defenses,” Roman emphasized. “Speaking with many defensive coordinators, when facing a formidable running team, you can sense their concern. It adds an extra dimension to their preparation.”
Roman, previously serving as the offensive coordinator for the Ravens in 2022, has a track record of orchestrating highly effective rushing offenses. Notably, he played a pivotal role in guiding quarterback Lamar Jackson to win the second unanimous MVP award in NFL history in 2019.
During his tenure with the Ravens from 2019 to 2022, the team led the league in rushing yards per game (175.2), showcasing Roman’s expertise in maximizing mobile quarterbacks like Jackson.
Acknowledging Herbert’s proficiency in passing, Roman highlighted that the Chargers’ offensive approach would differ from his previous strategies with quarterbacks like Jackson and Colin Kaepernick.
“It’s going to be a bit different,” Roman admitted. “We’ll likely adopt a multifaceted running game, incorporating motions, shifts, and a diverse passing scheme.”
Roman, however, didn’t rule out the possibility of incorporating designed runs for Herbert in the upcoming season.
“We’ll utilize any player capable of gaining yards,” Roman asserted. “While Herbert may primarily function as a scrambler, we’ll explore other options, keeping our playbook versatile.”
As the Chargers prepare for the upcoming season, Roman remains optimistic about the potential of their offense, emphasizing adaptability and the utilization of their offensive principles to their fullest extent.
