Justin Herbert's Red-Tinted Contacts Turn Heads at Chargers Camp

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert caught his teammates and fans by surprise this week by sporting red-tinted contact lenses at the start of training camp. Designed to reduce glare and eye strain, the lenses gave Herbert a striking look—and an unexpected edge.

“They’re like sunglasses,” Herbert told reporters. “They really helped. I didn’t have to squint nearly as much”.

Herbert had previously experimented with a tinted visor, but found it inconvenient due to the need for frequent cleaning. The contact lenses, however, offered similar benefits with fewer drawbacks. The red tint also sparked some fun reactions on the field. “When I stepped in the huddle, I think some of the guys were a little surprised,” Herbert said with a smile. “But they were like, ‘Oh, we’re going to score’”. His altered eye color became a lighthearted topic of conversation among players and fans. Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker added to the buzz, sharing on The Herd with Colin Cowherd that he and Herbert wore the contacts out to dinner recently. “We looked like we were vampires,” Dicker said. “We were like, ‘This is incredible’”. Dicker noted that the duo went largely unrecognized by fans thanks to the contacts’ eerie appearance. Herbert said he is considering wearing the lenses during games if permitted under a medical prescription, due to his sensitive eyes. “If I’m able to see the field better because of it, it definitely helps,” he said. Whether it’s a visual aid or a psychological edge, Herbert’s new look adds a fascinating wrinkle to the Chargers’ preseason storylines—and if it leads to more touchdowns, don’t be surprised if red eyes become a trend in the NFL.