Patrick Herbert is set to make his NFL debut with the Chargers, giving him the opportunity to finally share the field with his brother Justin. After years of working toward this moment, Patrick has a chance to make his own impact while playing alongside his brother.
For Patrick Herbert, this week is about more than just making his NFL debut.
The Los Angeles Chargers tight end is getting ready to take the field alongside his older brother, Justin Herbert, something that seemed like a possibility when Patrick joined the Chargers’ practice squad earlier this month. Now it is becoming a reality.
The Chargers elevated Patrick from the practice squad ahead of Sunday’s game, meaning the Herbert brothers could finally share the field in an NFL game. The two previously played together at Oregon in 2019, although Patrick was a freshman who appeared in only two games that season.
That makes this moment pretty special for the Herbert family.
Patrick spent the 2025 season on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad after going undrafted out of Oregon. He returned to Jacksonville for the 2026 offseason but was released during roster cuts. According to reports, Patrick had multiple opportunities to continue his career elsewhere but chose to join the Chargers and reunite with his brother.
Now he has a chance to contribute when the Chargers need him.
Patrick is joining a beat up tight end room. David Njoku and Charlie Kolar are both shelved for the immediate future. He has primarily been known for his blocking ability, which could give the Chargers another option as they try to get their offense moving in the right direction.
The timing of his elevation is also important. The Chargers have already dealt with injuries across the roster, and Patrick now has an opportunity to show that he can be more than just Justin Herbert’s younger brother.
That’s probably the biggest thing for Patrick.
Being Justin’s brother will always be part of his story, but he has spent years working toward getting his own opportunity in the NFL. He finished his Oregon career with 31 receptions for 388 yards and four touchdowns while appearing in 43 games.
Justin, meanwhile, is in his seventh NFL season and remains the Chargers’ franchise quarterback. Through the first two games of 2026, he has thrown for 401 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. After losing both of those games, Chargers fans are hoping that Patrick can be the team’s good luck charm to help turn the season around.
This isn’t about creating some Hollywood moment for the Chargers. Patrick still has to earn his snaps, and Justin still has to run the offense.
But there is something pretty cool about two brothers who grew up playing football together getting another opportunity to share the field.
Patrick Herbert has waited a long time for his NFL opportunity. Now he gets to make his debut with his brother standing in the huddle beside him.
That’s a moment neither of them will forget.
