After another playoff loss defined by offensive failure, the Chargers must confront a hard truth. Greg Roman’s outdated system continues to hold Justin Herbert back, and Jim Harbaugh must decide whether loyalty is worth sacrificing postseason success.
The time is now. Head coach Jim Harbaugh just watched his team lose yet again in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, and the reasons felt all too familiar. In a game where Jesse Minter’s defense performed at a high level and did enough to keep the Chargers competitive, Greg Roman’s offense completely fell flat. The Los Angeles Chargers lost for all the reasons fans have come to expect. Harbaugh has preached building a winning culture since the day he arrived, but if he keeps Greg Roman as offensive coordinator, he will only be steering Justin Herbert toward more disappointment.
Heading into Sunday’s matchup against the New England Patriots, there was a general belief that while Roman had not been impressive during the season, he would likely return in 2026. That assumption no longer feels safe. After another offensive disaster—one that resulted in just three points against a league-average defense—all options must be on the table. A performance that poor in a playoff game cannot be brushed aside or excused.
Following the loss, Harbaugh was asked directly whether he believed Greg Roman was the right person to be calling plays for this team. His response surprised many. Harbaugh is typically a coach who publicly supports his staff, even when they are clearly struggling. This time, however, he answered by saying, “I don’t have the answer to that right now.” That noncommittal response spoke volumes. It hinted at doubt, and perhaps even frustration, toward his offensive coordinator.
Could Harbaugh be considering major changes on the offensive side of the football? Time will tell, but one thing is clear: as long as Greg Roman remains in charge of the Chargers’ offense, these struggles are likely to continue. Roman’s outdated offensive philosophy is ill-suited for playoff success in today’s NFL. The contrast in play calling during this game was glaring. When Patriots quarterback Drake Maye faced second- or third-and-long situations, there were consistently well-designed checkdown options and route concepts that kept drives alive. The Patriots had answers. The Chargers did not.
After being embarrassed in the playoffs last year by the Houston Texans—another game defined by offensive ineptitude—general manager Joe Hortiz made it a priority to surround Justin Herbert with more talent. The team brought back Keenan Allen and invested heavily in offensive additions through the draft. Despite these improvements, Roman still failed to maximize the roster or put Herbert in positions to succeed.
With a long offseason ahead, the Chargers will have many questions to answer. While not all of them need immediate resolution, one solution is glaringly obvious. Harbaugh must be willing to look past personal relationships for the betterment of the team. If he is serious about winning a Super Bowl—or even a single playoff game—Jim Harbaugh must remove Greg Roman from the equation.