The Chargers’ 2026 hopes hinge on the health of Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. If both tackles return healthy, Justin Herbert and the offense regain their identity — and the Chargers can once again look like true contenders.
The Los Angeles Chargers had high expectations for themselves in 2025. They entered the season with two of the best offensive tackles in the NFL protecting one of the premier quarterbacks in the league. Things went sideways before the games even started, and it only got worse from there. With a long offseason ahead for the Chargers’ two star tackles, all eyes will be on them to remind the league of their dominance in 2026.
That unraveling began when Rashawn Slater suffered a brutal knee injury in the preseason. Losing an All-Pro caliber left tackle before Week 1 is devastating for any team, but for the Chargers, it fundamentally altered what the offense could be. Slater isn’t just a high-end pass protector — he’s the tone-setter. His ability to consistently neutralize elite edge rushers allows Justin Herbert to operate with confidence and gives the offense flexibility in both protection schemes and play-calling. Without him, the Chargers were forced into more conservative protections, the run game lacked consistency and Herbert faced pressure far more often than this coaching staff ever envisioned.
Joe Alt’s injury came later in the year, but its impact was just as significant. The rookie right tackle quickly proved why the Chargers invested premium draft capital in him. Alt looked comfortable early in the season, showing power at the point of attack and a maturity beyond his years in pass protection. Then the ankle injury struck midseason. While Alt battled through it at times, it was clear he wasn’t operating at full strength. His anchor wasn’t the same, and opposing defenses took advantage. With Slater already sidelined, losing Alt at less than 100 percent compounded an already fragile offensive line situation.
As the Chargers look toward 2026, their path back to contention starts — and perhaps ends — with these two players. The encouraging news is that Alt’s injury is far less concerning long-term. He is expected to be ready by training camp, and with a full NFL offseason under his belt, there is reason to believe he can take another step forward. A healthy Joe Alt gives the Chargers a cornerstone on the right side (or left, if the Chargers decide to keep him there) of the line for years to come.
Slater’s situation is more uncertain. Knee injuries of this magnitude rarely follow clean timelines, and while optimism exists, there are no guarantees he will be ready for the start of the season. If Slater returns at full strength, it immediately changes the ceiling of this offense. The Chargers would once again boast one of the best tackle duos in football, giving Herbert the protection he needs to fully unlock the passing game and allowing the run game to function with balance and physicality.
If Slater isn’t ready, the margin for error becomes razor thin. Depth can help survive a short stretch, but it won’t hold up over a full season against elite AFC pass rushers. The Chargers can upgrade skill positions and make schematic tweaks, but none of it matters if Herbert is constantly under pressure. In today’s NFL, true contenders are built from the trenches outward. The Chargers already know what they look like when Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are healthy — and it’s a team capable of competing with anyone. 2026 doesn’t require reinvention. It requires health. If Slater and Alt are on the field, the Chargers have a real chance to remind the league who they were always supposed to be.