Chargers OC Explains Why Team Has Unusual Amount of Offensive Skill Players on Roster

Ricardo Sandoval | Aug 29, 2024

Jun 13, 2024; Costa Mesa, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman during minicamp at the Hoag Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Chargers are set to begin a new chapter in their franchise’s history next week when they kick off the season against their division rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders, at home. 

After a disappointing season, the Chargers are looking to make a strong comeback in the highly competitive AFC. Their new head coach, Jim Harbaugh, leads the charge and brings a fresh identity and a winning pedigree to the team. Harbaugh has assembled a coaching staff that reflects his vision, including offensive coordinator Greg Roman, a trusted assistant known for his physical, bruising style of football.

The Chargers’ offense has undergone significant changes, with key veterans like Keenan Allen and Mike Williams no longer on the roster. While this has raised concerns among some observers, Harbaugh and Roman are confident in the young talent they have assembled.

The Chargers may not boast the star power they once had, but they are filled with hungry players eager to make their mark in the league. The team currently has an abundance of skill position players, with 14 combined running backs and wide receivers—five in the backfield and nine at wide receiver.

Despite the seemingly crowded roster, Roman is unfazed. He believes that the collective effort of these young players can make up for the production lost with the departure of Allen and Williams. 

“There’s a lot of thought put into it,” Roman said. “These guys are constantly thinking about how the roster will come together. They’re playing five-dimensional chess when it comes to that.”

Former Baltimore Ravens standouts Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins are leading the running backs. Edwards is coming off a solid season, while Dobbins is looking to bounce back from two major lower-body injuries. In Roman’s system, these two could transform the Chargers’ running back room from an overlooked unit to one that garners respect as the season progresses.

As for the wide receivers, there is an open competition to establish who will be the team’s top target. Joshua Palmer, Quentin Johnston, and rookie Ladd McConkey are all vying for that role. Quarterback Justin Herbert has spent the offseason building chemistry with this group, and the time is fast approaching for them to prove themselves on the field.

While there may be skepticism about the Chargers’ offensive potential, the team’s leadership and young talent provide hope. Harbaugh’s vision, combined with Roman’s physical style of play, could well be the key to revitalizing the Chargers and making them a force to be reckoned with in the AFC. The real test begins next week when they take on the Raiders.

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