The LA Chargers scored just three points in Sunday's Wild-Card loss to the New England Patriots. Less than three days later, that performance got offensive coordinator Greg Roman fired.
Jim Harbaugh made the move that Chargers fans were waiting for after the offense no-showed against the Patriots. Roman hasn't inspired much confidence throughout his two-year tenure in Los Angeles, and Sunday's loss was the breaking point.
The Chargers now enter an offensive coordinator search with no internal options emerging as candidates. With John Harbaugh no longer in Baltimore, it will be interesting to see if the Chargers go down that familiar pipeline or if they look to poach a young coach from an offensive-minded system.
Chargers fire Greg Roman after fan (and player) backlash
Fans were understandably calling for a change at offensive coordinator after the offensive egg the Bolts laid on Sunday. But they weren't alone. Guard Mekhi Becton publicly slammed Roman and his offense, among other interesting quotes from those in the Chargers locker room.
Harbaugh risked losing the locker room if he kept Roman around. That being said, there were still questions around whether or not the Bolts would actually make this bold of a decision. Harbaugh is close to Roman having coached with him previously in San Francisco. Harbaugh is loyal to a fault, so there were concerns he would run it back with Roman next year.
The real key for the Chargers is finding a new offensive voice that can inject fresh life into the offense. The last thing the Chargers need is another retread offensive coordinator who has a dated offensive style. It didn't work with Roman, and it won't work if the team simply brings in an offensive coordinator with a similar mindset.
Justin Herbert will have his fourth offensive coordinator in what will be his seventh NFL season. Roman and Joe Lombardi, both of whom were fired after the playoffs, were the only offensive coordinators to last more than one season.
It's imperative that the Chargers not only find a valuable offensive mind, but also find someone who can establish a system in Los Angeles that can give Herbert continuity. It sounds dramatic, but this coaching search very well could be the difference between making a Super Bowl run and falling short in the playoffs again.