Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert kept his personal life out of the spotlight for most of his career. That dynamic shifted in the summer of 2025 when he began dating pop star Madison Beer, a relationship the couple formalized with their engagement announcement in July 2026.
Speaking publicly about their relationship, Herbert shared how watching Beer perform on stage changed his perspective about her career.
Justin Herbert Opens Up on His Admiration for Madison Beer
During an appearance on the Chargers Weekly Podcast, the quarterback admitted her concerts surprised him, while noting clear parallels between live stage performances and professional sports.
“I saw how much fun she had with her dancers, and it was so cool to just be able to watch because I recognized that with football,” Herbert said.
“When I step out on the field, and you’re playing well and you’re having fun, you’re with your guys, and it’s like you’re going to celebrate in the end zone. It’s fun, like you enjoy football.
“And I saw that with her, and she had so much fun. She did so well. And so to be able to share that and watch her have that experience… There are so many similarities between football and performing.”
The experience gave Herbert a broader appreciation for the physical and mental demands of her profession. “It gave me a newfound respect that I probably didn’t have before just because I didn’t really know all about it. But it’s gotta be so tough,” he added.
Beer first rose to prominence in 2012 after Justin Bieber shared her YouTube cover online. Since then, she has built a major music career and earned two Grammy nominations, one for her album “Silence Between Songs” and one for the single “Make You Mine.”
Herbert and Beer were first linked publicly in August 2025 when Herbert visited one of Beer’s music video shoots in Los Angeles.
The couple then made several high-profile public appearances throughout the fall, including attending Los Angeles Lakers games, the 2025 World Series, and Chargers events before announcing their engagement in late July.
On the field, Herbert enters his seventh NFL season with a major change around him.
New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel now runs the offense under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Herbert previously missed two weeks of OTAs in the spring to support Beer on her European tour, drawing intense scrutiny before returning to the team in late May.
Last season, Herbert recorded a 75.1 PFN QB Impact Score, ranking 18th among eligible starting quarterbacks.
With training camp underway, the focus shifts back to regular-season and postseason success. Herbert enters the 2026 campaign seeking his first playoff victory following three wild-card exits in four seasons.
The Chargers scored only 15 combined points in their last two playoff losses. That is where McDaniel comes in. His job centers on fixing the offense and giving Herbert more freedom to attack. Now, Herbert, wide receiver Ladd McConkey, and the rest of the team must deliver on the expectations.
