The Los Angeles Chargers are in a holding pattern at the moment regarding the success of their new offense. Star quarterback Justin Herbert is recovering from a foot injury, which has stalled any preview that would have been on display during the preseason. 

The early indications from preseason are less than inspiring, with backup quarterback Easton Stick at the helm of the first-team offense. While not having a star player, Herbert makes a difference; it’s fair to wonder how much of Stick's struggles are self-inflicted. 

Nevertheless, from what the Chargers have shown in the first two preseason games, coupled with statements made by head coach Jim Harbough and offensive coordinator Greg Roman, it is clear they want to be a run-heavy team. 

One could assume that Los Angeles having Herbert throw less could help create a more balanced offensive approach that will also help reduce the injuries he has taken. While this is true, it also hinders Herbert’s potential, as most of his passing attempts will come off fake handoffs and play-action calls. 

This was one of the main reasons why the Baltimore Ravens moved from Roman after the 2022 season. During that season the Ravens ranked 2nd in rushing, but they were also ranked 29th in passing. 

Part of the greater reliance on the run game is due to the Charger's questionable decision to part ways with wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams this past offseason. The only receiver currently on the roster that has any upside is rookie Ladd McConkey. Given that he’s a rookie, McConkey may need time to become a consistent target for Herbert.

It is possible that Herbert could develop into more of a dual-threat quarterback since Roman’s offenses have typically utilized quarterbacks as part of the run game with the likes of Colin Kaepernick and Lamar Jackson. 

Having the likes of Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater at the tackle positions certainly helps Herbert's protection, especially if he is rushing more than he typically does. However, this could result in Herbert being at greater risk of taking unnecessary hits if he is constantly on the move. 

This was a constant problem throughout Jackson’s time with Roman. In his first year without Roman, he had one of his healthiest seasons to date, only missing one game. 

To add further insult to injury, it’s not like the Charger's current running back room of Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins inspires confidence to be an elite duo. Both players were serviceable in their time with the Ravens, but they left more to be desired as Baltimore swiftly replaced them with Derrick Henry. 

It’s also worth noting Dobbins is recovering from an Achilles injury from last year, so his impact could be limited to the start of the year. 

While the final result could be positive, it very much appears that Justin Herbert is not a good fit for the Chargers new offense. Ultimately until Herbert is fully healthy, how he performs in the Charger's new offensive system remains unclear.