Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman spoke to the media for the first time since Mike Williams’ abrupt retirement. Like most of the other members of LA’s organization who have spoken on the subject, Roman expressed disappointment that he wouldn’t get to work with Williams. LA’s OC also wished him the best in the next stage of his life after football.
“You lose a Mike Williams, that is what it is,” Roman said. “That’s not easily replaceable. But we like where everyone is going…We like the guys we have. We just gotta work, keep getting better. Like the trajectory we’re on.”
Attention now turns to how the WR room moves forward after losing a player that was expected to be a key contributor for the 2025 season. Asked by Chargers Weekly’s Matt “Money” Smith about how Williams’ skillset is replaced, Roman had this to say:
”Quentin (Johnston), really I trust all those guys. Tre’ (Harris), Ladd (McConkey), and Quentin. They’ve all made those catches this year in the offseason and whatnot.”
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper then followed up specifically on which players could play some of the X-receiver role void that was left by Williams:
OC Greg Roman on who could replace Mike Williams' skillset: "I trust all those guys. Tre, Ladd, Quentin."
— Alex Insdorf (@alexinsdorf99) July 20, 2025
On who can play X specifically: "Quentin for sure, Tre for sure."
Says they could move Tre Harris around between X and Z. Says Reagor can play X.
Quentin Johnston isn't the only Chargers WR who has to step up after Mike Williams' retirement
Johnston and Harris were the first names mentioned by Roman. He then identified that Harris would go back and forth between the X and Z spots. He likened his role in the offense this year to what Josh Palmer had done last year before departing to Buffalo.
Roman also said that he wouldn’t rule out McConkey from playing some amount of X, despite most of his production likely coming from the slot as usual.
The real name that was somewhat of a surprise is Jalen Reagor. He seems to be the player who has been able to take advantage of Williams’ departure. Roman wasn’t quite as ambivalent about his name in the same way he was with Harris or Johnston, but he has impressed the coaching staff this offseason.
Last year, Reagor was critical during the back half of the season as one of the few rotational vet receivers that the staff trusted when LA dealt with injuries at the position.
Still, it does feel like putting more of a weight on Reagor’s shoulders than usual might not be the best move. We’ll see how Joe Hortiz moves in free agency if there is a name out there he likes. A few possible WR signings that are currently available include Gabe Davis, Keenan Allen, Nelson Agholor, and Amari Cooper.
There’s still plenty of time until the regular season, but the Chargers are at least currently acting like it’s business as usual following the retirement of Williams. To borrow a phrase Johnston used in his media availability, “next man up”.