With rookies Tanner Koziol and Nate Boerkircher in the mix, the Jacksonville Jaguars had a surplus at tight end in the preseason. This made sophomore Patrick Herbert a long shot to make the 53-man roster. To nobody's surprise, he was waived on cutdown day. The expectation was that the Eugene, Oregon native could return to the practice squad, but he ended up signing with a team that had an unbeatable edge.
Herbert hit the waiver wire and went unclaimed. That made him a free agent who could sign with any team he pleased. Mike Garofolo of NFL Media reported that the second-year tight end chose to land with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he joins his more famous brother, quarterback Justin Herbert.
Why did Patrick Herbert signed with the LA Chargers after the Jaguars released him?
Patrick Herbert went undrafted in 2025, and the Los Angeles Chargers became an obvious landing spot for him. Heck, fellow tight end Oronde Gadsden II wanted him to sign with the Bolts after working out with him last year. However, the Jaguars swooped in and signed him.
Ultimately, Herbert didn't make the Jacksonville 53-man roster last year but remained in Duval on the practice squad. The former Oregon Duck spent the offseason with the Jags but wasn't able to stand out.
In the preseason, Herbert hauled in two receptions for 12 yards. That wasn't going to be enough to make the team, which is why nobody batted an eye when the Jags waived him on cutdown day.
The silver lining is that Herbert will get to hone his skills alongside his brother. He now joins a group that includes Gadsen, Charlie Kolar, and David Njoku.
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The Jaguars had no room for Patrick Herbert
Leaving aside that Patrick Herbert failed to stand out, the Jaguars had a crowded tight end room. Brenton Strange, Tanner Koziol, and Nate Boerkircher were locks to make the team, leaving probably just one spot up for grabs. Quintin Morris and Hunter Long were the top candidates to earn it.
In the end, Long was traded to the Cardinals, and Morris got the nod. That made Patrick Herbert a candidate to land on the practice squad after clearing waivers. Given that he was presented with the same situation in Los Angeles, it's painfully obvious that he signed with the Chargers because of the chance to be on the same team as Justin Herbert, and can you blame him?
It's not often that NFL players have the opportunity to play with their brothers. Patrick Herbert did and jumped on it. For their part, the Jaguars may want to add a tight end to their practice squad to ensure they have depth at the position.
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