Chargers Joe Alt Receives Bold Prediction Ahead of 2026 Season

The Los Angeles Chargers could be set for a great season after making a few solid additions in the offseason, but for this team to get over the top, they will need a great performance from the offensive line in particular.

On that note, Chargers offensive tackle Joe Alt will no doubt play a key role in how this season goes for Los Angeles and could very well be one of the main reasons this offense has consistent success if he can stay healthy.

With the understanding of the type of player that Alt is, Seth Walder of ESPN made a bold prediction that Alt will win protector of the year for the 2026 season.

When looking at that prediction, it does seem very possible that if Alt stays healthy, he should be able to provide much better protection than quarterback Justin Herbert had last season.

In 2025, Alt was limited to just six games as he was dealing with a significant ankle injury that forced the Chargers to go very deep on the depth chart at offensive tackle and that did not go well at all for Los Angeles as Herbert was constantly under heavy pressure and took a ton of hits.

When Alt was healthy last season, he was quite effective as he recorded an overall grade of 79 (No. 16 among 89 OTs), a pass-blocking grade of 82.3 (No. 6 among 89 OTs), and a run-blocking grade of 70.8 (No. 30 among 89 OTs), according to PFF. Additionally, Alt allowed one sack, seven pressures, and recorded just one penalty, which further demonstrates his capability as a pass protector.

While Alt did not play a full season, his ability to essentially shut down opposing pass rushers was quite evident despite playing out of position at left tackle, with fellow offensive tackle Rashawn Slater also struggling with injuries as he missed the entire 2025 season.

Now heading into 2026, Alt and Slater should both be back and healthy, so that will very likely put the Chargers in a good position to protect Herbert much better from opposing edge rushers and could then give this offense an opportunity to be one of the more dynamic and explosive units in the entire league.

Getting back to Alt, winning protector of the year is not going to be easy, especially with the list of pass rushers he must face. On that list are Maxx Crosby twice, Nik Bonitto twice, Zach Allen twice, Chris Jones twice, George Karlaftis twice, Josh Sweat, Aaron Donald, Myles Garrett, Byron Young, Danielle Hunter, and Will Anderson Jr., which is no doubt going to be a challenging task for Alt.

So, heading into the 2026 season, if Alt can hold his own against these pass rushers and keep Herbert upright consistently, Alt should have a great chance to win protector of the year and assert himself as a truly elite offensive tackle.