The new Los Angeles Chargers regime has inspired plenty of confidence that they will right the ship and do so immediately. The one big question mark is how the offense will operate. They moved on from their top two receivers and have not invested in a bonafide number one as a replacement. This along with head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator, Greg Roman’s long track record of a run-heavy offense leads one to believe the Chargers will follow suit, despite having one of the best young quarterbacks in the game. Rashawn Slater said as much in a recent interview.
Rashawn Slater on Los Angeles Chargers Run-First Offense: “It’s going to be physical and everyone’s bought in and it’s going to be awesome.”
Jake Hefner of the Chargers Unleashed podcast asked Slater about what he expects the offense to look like this year.
“We’ve put a lot of work in already into just establishing our identity as an offense and obviously we haven’t put pads on yet but you can kind of tell just the way that we’re processing things and going about our business; we know we want to run the football.” Slater stated, “And that’s very exciting for us. We love that. As O lineman we’re running some of the same plays, some minor variations but just the way we do it; it’s going to be physical and everyone’s bought in and it’s going to be awesome.”
In his 10 seasons as an offensive coordinator, Greg Roman’s offenses have ranked in the top 10 in rushing attempts every year. In seven of those seasons, they have ranked in the top three. His offenses have never produced a 4000+ yard passer and has produced a top 10 receiver by receiving yards just once; tight end Mark Andrews in 2021.
In general, Harbaugh’s offenses haven’t featured an elite quarterback. Although he did coach Andrew Luck. In Luck’s final season, the Cardinal ranked 60th, attempting 32 passes a game. They ranked 38th with 40 rushing attempts per game.
In Lamar Jackson‘s first MVP season, Roman’s offense ranked first in rushing attempts and 32nd in passing attempts.
