Patrick Herbert Joins Chargers, Reunites with Brother Justin
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The final roster cuts across the NFL have set the stage for the regular season, and the Los Angeles Chargers made a late addition that brings a personal twist to their depth chart. On Monday, the team signed tight end Patrick Herbert to their practice squad. Patrick is the younger brother of Chargers franchise quarterback Justin Herbert, and the move reunites the siblings in a professional setting for the first time since they played together at the University of Oregon in 2019.
Patrick Herbert was waived by the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, just days before the start of the regular season. The former Oregon Duck had spent the 2026 preseason with Jacksonville, catching two passes for 12 yards. After clearing waivers, he drew interest from multiple teams around the league. However, the tight end made a decision that seemed almost inevitable: he opted to sign with the Chargers, where he could join his brother and have the opportunity to learn from one of the NFL’s top young quarterbacks.
NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo broke the news on social media, reporting that Herbert “fielded offers from multiple teams but heads to LA having done extensive research on the starting QB. That would be his brother, Justin.” The lighthearted tone of the post reflected the obvious nature of the choice, but the move also has a practical side for the Chargers. Patrick Herbert adds depth to a tight end room that is already stocked with talent. The Chargers currently have four tight ends on their 53-man roster: Charlie Kolar, Oronde Gadsden, and David Njoku. On the practice squad, he joins Evan Svoboda, giving the team a pair of developmental options behind the active group.
For the Herbert brothers, the reunion is a long time coming. They played one season together at Oregon in 2019, Justin’s final year as a Duck before he was selected sixth overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Since then, Justin has become one of the league’s most prolific passers, while Patrick has worked his way through the collegiate ranks and into the NFL. Patrick went undrafted in 2024 and spent time with the Jaguars, but his path has now led him to the same franchise as his brother.
The Chargers’ decision to bring in Patrick Herbert is not just a feel-good story. It gives the team an extra tight end who already has a rapport with the starting quarterback, even if that chemistry is years old. The two have stayed close, and having a familiar face in the meeting room and on the practice field could provide a subtle boost for Justin Herbert as he prepares for the season. At the same time, Patrick Herbert has a genuine chance to earn a promotion to the active roster if injuries or performance issues arise. The practice squad is a stepping stone, and the Chargers’ coaching staff will be watching to see if he can develop into a reliable option.
As the season begins, this reunion will be one of the more personal subplots in the NFL. Fans will be watching to see if Patrick Herbert gets the call to the 53-man roster at some point in 2026. For now, the brothers are together again, and the Chargers have added a player with a unique connection to their franchise quarterback.
Article commentary
The signing of Patrick Herbert by the Los Angeles Chargers is a classic example of an NFL team leveraging personal connections to fill a roster spot, but it also raises questions about the balance between sentiment and strategy. At first glance, the move appears straightforward: a younger brother joining his superstar sibling after being waived by another team. However, the decision carries layers of nuance that merit closer examination. From a football perspective, Patrick Herbert is a fringe player. His two catches for 12 yards in the 2026 preseason with the Jaguars indicate limited production, and he went undrafted in 2024. The Chargers already have a tight end room that includes established veterans like David Njoku, who is a proven pass-catcher, and Charlie Kolar, who offers size and blocking ability. Adding another tight end to the practice squad is a low-risk move, but it does not significantly alter the team’s depth chart. The real question is whether Patrick Herbert has the potential to develop into a contributor, or if he is simply a roster courtesy. Critics might argue that the Chargers are prioritizing family ties over merit. After all, the team had other options among the pool of waived tight ends, possibly players with more game experience or higher upside. Yet the reality of NFL roster construction is that practice squad spots are often used for developmental players and for players who have pre-existing relationships with the coaching staff or key players. In this case, the relationship with Justin Herbert is a legitimate asset. The quarterback’s comfort and trust in the locker room matter, and having a brother who knows his tendencies could be a subtle advantage in team chemistry. Moreover, the move is not unprecedented. Several NFL teams have signed relatives of star players, from the Mannings to the Watts. These signings often generate media attention and fan excitement, but they rarely lead to significant on-field impact. The pressure on Patrick Herbert will be to prove he belongs beyond the family name. He will need to show improvement in practice and seize any opportunities that come his way, especially if the Chargers face injuries at the tight end position. From a broader perspective, this story illustrates the human element of the NFL. The league is a business, but it is also a community of families and connections. For Justin Herbert, having his brother in the same building could provide emotional support during a grueling season. For Patrick, it is a second chance to make an NFL roster. The Chargers’ front office is betting that the intangibles of this reunion outweigh any potential criticism of nepotism. As the season unfolds, the true test will be whether Patrick Herbert can contribute on the field, or if this remains a feel-good story with no lasting impact on the team’s performance.