NEWSLETTER
The Chicago Bears’ list of offensive coordinator candidates grew again on Monday, with Greg Roman (most recently of the Baltimore Ravens) reportedly interviewing for the job opening on Monday.
Shane Waldron (Seahawks OC), Klint Kubiak (49ers Pass Game Coordinator), and Liam Coen (University of Kentucky OC) are also on the Bears’ short-list of interview candidates. But Roman becomes the second candidate to interview with the Bears for the offensive coordinator opening. The other known candidate to reportedly interview for the position is Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach Greg Olson.
Getting to Know Bears Offensive Coordinator Candidates: Shane Waldron | Klint Kubiak | Liam Coen | Greg Olson
Who is Greg Roman?
Greg Roman, who took a break from coaching during the 2023 season after parting ways with the Baltimore Ravens, brings a wealth of coaching experience at the NFL level. His coaching career has seen him serve as an offensive coordinator for three different teams. Roman held the role with the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014, the Buffalo Bills from 2015 to 2016, and most recently, the Baltimore Ravens from 2019 to 2022.
Relevant Experience
Potential Fit
The Greg Roman interview has been seen as a potential move that ties Justin Fields to the Bears in 2024. Roman’s most recent stop in the NFL was in Baltimore, where he was Lamar Jackson’s offensive coordinator from 2019 to 2022.
The Justin Fields-Lamar Jackson comparison has been impossible to avoid for the last three seasons. They’re similar quarterbacks in their elite athleticism and play-making abilities, and they’re even next to each other in the NFL record books after Fields fell just shy of Jackson’s single-season quarterback rushing yard record in 2022.
So, it’s easy to see a fit here for Roman, especially if the Bears’ plans involve Fields sticking around to be the starting quarterback in 2024.
Before working with Jackson in Baltimore, Roman worked under Jim Harbaugh in San Francisco as the offensive coordinator for four seasons. During his time in San Francisco, he and Harbaugh worked with Alex Smith, whose career was revived at that point, and eventually made a run to the Super Bowl with Colin Kaepernick as the 49ers starting quarterback.
The play-calling experience and the familiarity with a quarterback like Justin Fields is there, so there’s an obvious fit between Greg Roman and the Bears.
My Two Cents
I’m not a fan of this one. I wouldn’t say I like the idea that the Bears would bring in a coordinator for the sole reason of trying to revive Justin Fields’ career. That would be putting all of the eggs in one basket. Even if the Bears do stick with Fields, they should be able to have an offensive coordinator who can scheme Fields into a position to find success as a passer.
Then there’s the fact that the Ravens ditched Roman after some of Lamar Jackson’s worst seasons in the league and a lack of success on the offensive side of the ball. With Todd Monken running Baltimore’s offense this season, the Ravens are the best team in the AFC, and Lamar Jackson is the favorite to win the MVP award.
Honestly, I don’t think the Bears will land on Roman as their next offensive coordinator. However, I have no issue with them interviewing as many candidates as possible. Why not pick everyone’s brains and get everyone’s opinions on their players?
I think this one will fall into that bucket.
