Best Offensive Coordinator Fits for Jim Harbaugh And The Chargers
Reigning College Football Playoff national champ Jim Harbaugh just took his second meeting with your Los Angeles Chargers yesterday, as it appears the Bolts are on track to pay their top target a lucrative new salary.
Should this come to pass, how can Harbaugh shore up his offense? Which coordinator makes the most sense as a fit?
Granted, the word on the street is that Harbaugh is set to bring in a lot of his own staffers from the University of Michigan, but that Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Greg Roman is currently the favored OC choice.
1. Todd Monken, Baltimore Ravens
The best offense in the NFL belongs to John Harbaugh's Baltimore Ravens, but it seems unlikely that Jim Harbaugh would strive to poach his brother's offensive coordinator, Todd Monken. That said, in a perfect world, he certainly should. After leading the Georgia Bulldogs' offense to consecutive titles in 2021 and 2022, Monken jumped back into the NFL (on the pro side, he had previously served with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars). This year, his Ravens ranked first in yards per game, points per play, fourth down conversion rate, touchdowns per game, and rushing touchdowns per game. Monken already interviewed with Los Angeles for the head coaching gig, so would he accept a lateral move to an unknown commodity in the Chargers, while abandoning a Lamar Jackson-led club that could very well be the Super Bowl champs when the dust settles?
2. Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions
LA has already spoken with Johnson, who has guided the program to a 12-5 regular season record and now its first two playoff wins in literal decades this season, while making Jared Goff look like an absolute stud. This year, Detroit ranks among the top five in passing yards, rushing yards, and cumulative yards per bout. The high-flying Lions scored 30+ points in nine of their regular season games. The Lions will face off against the San Francisco 49ers this weekend, with a Super Bowl berth on the line.
3. Greg Roman, Buffalo Bills
Roman has stewarded a stellar Josh Allen-fronted Bills attack for years, although the team has been wholly unable to solve Patrick Mahomes' Kansas City Chiefs in the playoffs. But that doesn't mean he hasn't been one of the elite coordinators in the league. He could do wonders with a Justin Herbert-led offense, but Herbert definitely needs younger, healthier wide receivers and more straight-up talented running backs at his disposal to truly thrive.
