Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert skipped Phase 2 of the team's voluntary OTA workouts to travel to Europe with his girlfriend, singer Madison Beer, who was on the European leg of her Locket Tour. While Herbert's absence raised questions about his sincerity, he received full support from his head coach as well as a heartfelt offer.

Jim Harbaugh addressed Herbert's absence at a May 27 news conference, and his reaction said everything about the trust he has built with his quarterback. Herbert had given the organization advance notice about the trip well ahead of time.

"He told me he wasn't gonna be here for those two weeks, and my first reaction was, 'Do you need a ride to the airport?'" Harbaugh said.

Last August, Herbert visited Beer on the set of her music video and also starred in his girlfriend's Lovergirl music video earlier this month. Currently, the quarterback is accompanying Beer on the European leg of her “The Locket Tour.”

However, it clashed with the Chargers' first Voluntary Organized Team Activity (OTA) held between May 26-27.

Instead of being upset, Harbaugh appreciated Herbert for accompanying his girlfriend. It is because Beer has been a regular presence at Chargers games since the two confirmed their relationship in October 2025.

He then went on to describe the kind of player Herbert actually is when he is in the building, making it clear why this was never a concern.

"He's just been somebody that sits here all the time," Harbaugh appreciated Herbert's commitment to the franchise. "There's times I've wanted to shoo him out of the building. He's at every voluntary, every non-voluntary workout. It's the same guy that broke his hand and then the next day he was here practicing."

Herbert returned to the field for OTAs on Wednesday, May 27, after the European portion of the tour ended, per ESPN's Kris Rhim. The mandatory minicamp runs from June 16 to 18.

Herbert Has Built One of the NFL's Strongest Track Records at the Position

The reason Harbaugh never flinched comes down to what Herbert has done on the field. In the 2025 season, he threw for 3,727 yards and 26 touchdowns, per ESPN.

Over six seasons, he has thrown for 24,820 yards and 163 touchdowns with a career passer rating of 96.3. He has won the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and been selected to two Pro Bowls.

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer has already raised an MVP expectation for Herbert this season.

"I do believe in [Mike] McDaniel, and think the union with Jim Harbaugh will be a good one," Breer wrote. "And I think it’ll lead to Justin Herbert making a run at MVP in his seventh season."

Moving into the 2026 season, however, Herbert will have to fix one thing. He led Los Angeles to back-to-back 11-win seasons. However, he has struggled in the playoffs, holding a 0-3-0 record, with no touchdowns last year.

Now that Harbaugh trusts him highly, will Herbert be able to prove him this season? Let us know in the comments.

Read more at Michigan Football Community.

Written by

Farheen Fathima

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar