So close, yet so far.
The New York Jets lost out on their coaching target, Greg Roman. Instead, Roman is reuniting with John Harbaugh in New York with the Giants.
Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic was the first to break the news on social media.
NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY revealed that Roman had “talks with the Jets” before taking the gig with the Giants.
He added that Roman is expected to oversee the Giants’ running game. “Great addition for Harbaugh,” Hughes said.
Dan Duggan of The Athletic said he imagines “this will be a run game coordinator type of role. Good complement to OC Matt Nagy. Roman was John Harbaugh’s OC from 2019-22. Then was Jim Harbaugh’s OC the past two seasons.”
The Fit Would Have Made Plenty of Sense With the Jets
Roman, 53, was one of the three finalists for the Jets’ offensive cooridator role. Earlier this week, the Jets hired veteran Frank Reich for that role.
Several beat reporters said not to rule out Roman or Darrell Bevell for potential roles on Reich’s staff.
Reich, 64, was a backup quarterback in the NFL for 14 seasons. Following his playing days, Reich got into coaching in 2006. The majority of that second career has been spent working with quarterbacks, as an offensive cooridator, or as a head coach.
That experience will be beneficial for the Jets after coming off a disastrous season, which featured the worst passing offense in the National Football League.
Roman, in theory, would have made plenty of sense as a yin to his yang. A salt to his pepper. A mac to his cheese.
Roman has cut his teeth as an expert in developing the run game. He had a top-five rushing offense for three years in San Francisco (2011-14). Roman produced one of the best rushing offenses of all time during Lamar Jackson’s MVP campaign in 2019.
Roman Made the Best Choice for Himself
It’s hard to blame Roman for his choice. He lost out on being the Jets OC, and his consolation prize would have been working under the guy he lost out to? Not an easy thing to do.
Plus, door No. 2 was working with a familiar face.
Roman has been coaching football for 31 years. 28 of those 31 years have been spent at the NFL level. 14 of those years had been spent with a Harbaugh.
Roman has worked with both of the Harbaugh brothers, Jim and John, during his long coaching career.
He has spent six seasons with John Harbaugh. He has spent nine seasons with Jim Harbaugh.
The 2026 season will be his seventh season working with John, this time with the Giants.
Another likely factor in Roman’s decision is job security. Harbaugh just signed a five-year deal for $100 million. The Giants are committed to him, and he isn’t leaving anytime soon.
Had Roman picked the other team occupying MetLife Stadium, it would have come with obvious risk. While head coach Aaron Glenn also inked a five-year contract, his future is much murkier.
If things don’t go well this season, Glenn could be let go. The threat of that isn’t on the table for Harbaugh.
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