Changes are coming to Los Angeles.

The Chargers announced Tuesday they fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman following Sunday’s disastrous playoff loss to the Patriots. They also announced they’ve parted ways with offensive line coach Mike Devlin.

Roman’s firing came as no surprise to many as head coach Jim Harbaugh was noncommittal when asked if Roman was the right person to be calling plays for the Chargers.

“Right now, I don’t have the answers,” he said postgame. “We’re going to look at that, and everything.”

“I don’t have that answer right now,” Harbaugh added when further pressed. “I know you’re being very specific. We weren’t good enough as a team, and that’s what we do. We win as a team, we lose as a team, and that’s my responsibility to have that team in a better position.”

Roman came to Los Angeles with Harbaugh in 2024, immediately providing a veteran presence alongside quarterback Justin Herbert. Known more for his ground-and-pound style, many wondered how this would effect Herbert, widely considered one of the better quarterbacks in the league capable of making any throw. 

However, that marriage never fully worked. There were highs and lows but it was the inconsistency of the offense as a whole that proved most futile. 

In Roman’s first season, the Bolts finished 20th in total yards and 11th in points. This past season, the team ended 12th in yards and 20th in points.

Roman and Herbert entered this past season on a high note, looking like the type of offense capable of a deep playoff run — even with the loss of All-Pro left tackle Rashawn Slater for the season due to a left patellar tendon injury. The Chargers started the season 7-3 on the strength of Roman’s play-calling and Herbert’s ability to improvise. 

Although Los Angeles finished the season 11-6, securing the No. 7 seed in the postseason, the offense floundered. Over the final six games, Herbert surpassed 200+ passing yards in a game just three times, a feat he accomplished in nine of the first 10 games. 

It all culminated in an abysmal showing against the Patriots this past weekend in the Wild Card round of the AFC playoffs. The Chargers scored just three points and mustered only 207 total yards in the 16-3 loss, while Herbert finished 19-of-31 passing for 159 yards and no touchdowns.

That’s when Harbaugh refused to endorse Roman as the right man for the job moving forward, ultimately leading to Roman’s firing Tuesday.

As one of the game’s most creative run-game aficionados, Roman had success at previous stops with the 49ers, Bills, and Ravens. Ultimately that success faded and fans were left with disdain as his offense rarely evolved over time. His time in Los Angeles never fully translated as the Chargers couldn’t provide Roman with the physical, dominant offensive line he craves.

Besides Slater being out for the season, Los Angeles turned to second-year right tackle Joe Alt (who switched to protect Herbert’s blindside with Slater sidelined). He only played in six games while dealing with an ankle injury, eventually having his season cut short after week nine.

What started out as having one of the best offensive lines in the league bookend by the top tackle duo quickly evaporated into the third worst offensive line (according to PFF) at the end of the season. 

Center Bradley Bozeman finished 40th out of 40 per PFF rankings for centers, Mekhi Becton finished 79th out of 81 for guards, and Trey Pipkins III finished 84th out of 89 for tackles. Those three, alongside guard Zion Johnson, played the most snaps among the offensive live this season. 

Due to injuries and trying to find groupings that worked, Los Angeles used 29 different offensive line combinations this season, third most in the league. 

While the Chargers are expected to get back both Slater and Alt back for next season, they will be looking for ways to upgrade the interior part of the line. Rookie running back Omarion Hampton, limited by injuries, showed promise in spurts. Herbert has the raw talent to be one of the best in the game. 

That’ll be the task for whoever Los Angeles brings in next.