Some criticized Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert for skipping practice to support his girlfriend Madison Beer on tour, but the head coach had no tolerance for it.
“I was happy that he was there to support Madison on her music tour,” Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday, May 27. “Madison is cheering him on at the football game. He told me he wasn’t going to be here for those two weeks, and my first reaction was, ‘Do I need a ride to the airport?'”
Mr. Harbaugh, 62, explained that he was effectively begging Mr. Herbert, 28, to take time off.
“There were times I wanted to get him out of the building,” he said. “He’s been in all the voluntary workouts, he’s been in all the involuntary workouts. The same guy who broke his hand, he came to practice the next day. The next game, he’s arming well. So, yeah, I was happy. I was happy. You know, the balance is good. The balance is good.”
Harbaugh’s support is all that matters to Herbert, but that hasn’t stopped others from speaking out. Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy ripped Harbaugh from quarterback earlier this month for appearing in a beer music video.
“Call me crazy, but I like coaches and QBs to focus on the weight room and study game tape instead of making hot music videos,” Portnoy, 49, wrote on May 8, via X. “But maybe that’s why the Chargers haven’t won the playoffs, even though (the Patriots) have six rings and were in the Super Bowl last year.”
Herbert returned to practice on Wednesday, and the Chargers’ official X account shared several photos of him on the field with the caption, “He’s here + he’s perfect.”
Herbert and Biel, 27, first sparked dating rumors in August 2025 when they were spotted together on the set of the singer’s music video.
A few weeks later, the two were spotted holding hands on a date night in Los Angeles. But in October 2025, fans got the confirmation they needed when they were caught on camera exchanging a few quick kisses on the SoFi Stadium sideline before a Chargers game.
Since then, the two have appeared together on the sidelines of World Series and NBA games, and even at a Harry Styles concert.
Herbert had been keeping Beal on his European tour, but he gave a shoutout to Beal during a performance in Paris on May 22, changing a line from the song “Baby” to “I’m the best thing ever for you, Justin, I can turn you on, on, on.”
