Greg Roman‘s second year with the Chargers has proven to be his last. The veteran offensive coordinator has been fired, as first reported by Tom Pelissero, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. The team has since confirmed the news. 
This represents a split between Roman and head coach Jim Harbaugh. The two worked together at Stanford (2009-10), with the 49ers (2011-14) and again during Harbaugh’s time with the Chargers. The 2026 season will represent Harbaugh’s first in the NFL without Roman as his offensive coordinator.
Los Angeles has reached the playoffs in each of the past two years. That illustrates the successful turnaround seen under Harbaugh and the team’s new front office. The performances seen on offense during the wild-card round has left plenty to be desired, however. Between last season’s loss to the Texans and the defeat against the Patriots from this weekend, Roman’s unit has managed just 15 total playoff points.
As Daniel Popper of The Athletic notes (subscription required), the “tenor” regarding Roman’s future changed in the wake of Sunday night’s game. Quarterback Justin Herbert continued to face consistent pressure due in large part to Los Angeles’ struggles up front. He took six sacks against the Patriots and several scrambles resulted in a team-leading 57 rushing yards. Offensive line coach Mike Devlin is also out, per the NFLN trio.
Left tackle Rashawn Slater was lost for the season to a torn patellar tendon suffered in August. That resulted in Joe Alt moving to the blindside, creating a setup which largely proved sufficient when he was available. Alt himself was limited to only six games in 2025 due to his own season-ending injury, however. The Bolts were unable to compensate for losing their top two linemen, and issues up front persisted through the team’s elimination.
Overall, the Chargers ranked 11th in scoring during Roman’s first year in charge and 20th in 2025. Improvements will be sought out by Harbaugh over the coming days. Los Angeles could be seen as one of the top openings around the league on the OC front given the presence of Herbert and a number of other core pieces on offense. It will be interesting to see who Harbaugh targets as he prepares for a rare stint without Roman serving as one of his top lieutenants.
Roman, 53, has been an NFL offensive coordinator for 12 years. In between his stints working with Jim Harbaugh, he led the Bills’ offense for two seasons and the Ravens’ for four. Roman won the Assistant Coach of the Year award in 2019, the season in which Lamar Jackson was the NFL’s unanimous MVP. Known for finding success with dual-threat quarterbacks, he could be sought out by teams seeking out an improved showing in the run game in particular.
The Lions and Buccaneers currently have an offensive coordinator vacancy. More are expected to open as the HC landscape takes shape over the coming days. In any case, the Chargers are now among the teams seeking out a new play-caller on offense as they look to take a step forward next year.
league shifts very fast lately. some of the old guys are having trouble keeping up.
Both tackles were down, Harris, Hampton both missed time. There are plenty of excuses that are quite valid. I don’t think this really falls on Roman but it’s not like you can’t find a different offensive coordinator out there that can so just as well. I’d love to see monken there, or daboll as an Oc.
Good Harbaugh like always accepted his share of the blame- oh wait never mind. I forgot he has never been wrong, it’s always someone else.
Ok
Changes do need to be made
I mean if it’s Roman’s fault the oline wasn’t given help like how Texans helped their oline by lining up Fisher as an extra tackle or how Detroit uses what’s his name the 6’9” guy Dan Skipper then yeah that’s on Roman
They should have used Matlock as an extra blocker in the backfield or on the line to chip block and roll out to the flat or used Penning as an extra tackle
They also didn’t adjust to stunts inside very well.
This is what happens with Greg Roman.
After San Fran, teams have brought him in when they needed a guy who could make their mobile quarterback effective while he learns to be a pocket passer.
He should be in demand again for that same reason.
Precisely my thoughts. Roman is a good starter OC, but he hits his ceiling fast. And in this case, they have one of the best true passers in the league. There’s untapped upside here (if the tackles don’t miss the whole season again).
♫ Lost in a Roman wilderness of pain
And all the children are insane
All the children are insane
Waiting for the summer rain ♫