The LA Chargers were embarrassed 16-3 by the New England Patriots on Sunday night. While Jesse Minter's defense showed up, it was another rough offensive performance from the Chargers. Justin Herbert, offensive coordinator Greg Roman, the offensive line, and the receivers all shoulder some of the blame.
For the third time in three playoff games, Herbert failed to come away with a win.
Some bad throws were circumstances he could control but it was undeniably a poor game from the sixth-year QB. The structure of the offense didn't do Herbert any favors and absolutely set the Chargers back once again. Receivers jammed up, the offensive line breaking down in the second half, Herbert leaving the pocket as a result: it was a story all too familar for the 2025 Chargers' offense.
Harbaugh was asked if Roman was the right person to be calling plays. He was shockingly noncommittal.
"Right now, I don't have the answers as I said," Harbaugh started. "We're gonna look at that. And everything. It really falls on me that we weren't at our best tonight. I don't have the answers. I wish I did. But we'll work hard. It'll be a new beginning.
Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh does not commit to OC Greg Roman returning next season.
The Athletic's Daniel Popper followed up on what exactly Harbaugh meant by "looking at it" regarding Roman. He was asked again if Roman is the right person to be calling plays: "I don't have that answer right now."
Harbaugh will likely have the answers to several questions within the coming days as the team does their end of season press conference. But it feels like coaching staff changes are on the table.
While Harbaugh was specifically asked about Roman, special teams has also been lacking. JK Scott and Derius Davis' performances certainly demand at least some questioning of special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken.
Adding to the potential coaching turnover is of course the big Jesse Minter question. The Chargers DC will now interview with several franchises for head coaching positions over the next week. He certainly saved his best audition tape of the season for last. The Chargers' defense forced Drake Maye into multiple turnovers and gave the offense plenty of chances to take the game.
There's more concerns than answers currently. The nature of the playoff loss and the questions that now linger into the offseason will have Chargers fans not dealing well with what was otherwise a successful regular season. But tonight showed there's a clear line of demarcation between true playoff contention and where the Chargers currently are at.