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Chargers Star Predicted to Win NFL's Newest Award

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Sep 3, 2025 3:44 PM ET

The Los Angeles Chargers enter the 2025 season with hopes of winning their first AFC West title since 2009 and dethroning the Kansas City Chiefs.

They are backed with some serious star power, with quarterback Justin Herbert, wide receiver Ladd McConkey, safety Derwin James and offensive tackle Joe Alt looking to make a big impact.

Alt, coming off his rookie season, is already viewed as one of the NFL's best pass protectors. In fact, Seth Walder predicts that the second-year offensive tackle will be the first player ever to win Protector of the Year.

"Joe Alt will win Protector of the Year," Walder wrote. "He is moving into a more high-profile role at left tackle in the wake of [Rashawn] Slater's injury, and he's coming off a rookie season in which he put up pretty incredible numbers. Alt ranked fourth in pass block win rate (94%) and 15th in run block win rate (78%) among tackles."

Despite not being a pass catcher, he became one of Herbert's most valuable assets throughout the 2024 season.

In 16 starts, he earned a Pro Football Focus overall grade of 77.6 (20th/140 OTs), 79.4 pass blocking grade (24th/140 OTs) and a 71.6 run blocking grade (31st/140 OTs).

If Alt continues to grow, the Chargers may soon be put in a difficult position, considering this offseason, they already gave OT Rashawn Slater a four-year, $114 million extension.

Winning an award such as Protector of the Year gives Alt some real negotiating power when it comes time for an extension. That's still far away, though, with his rookie contract running through the 2027 season with a fifth-year option in 2028.

What is Protector of the Year?

The Protector of the Year is an award that will be given out annually, starting for the first time following the 2025 season.

"The award honors individual excellence and spotlights offensive linemen, whose contributions are often overlooked in the highlight-driven nature of football. It cements their role as the foundation of every great offense," NFL Football Operations writes.

It will be decided by several important factors, including skill metrics, impact, leadership, durability and strength of opponent.

Unlike many awards, which are voted on by members of the media, the panel for Protector of the Year is composed of former offensive linemen, including Jason Kelce, LeCharles Bentley, Shaun O'Hara, Orlando Pace, Will Shields and Andrew Whitworth.

It allows a long-overlooked aspect of the NFL to earn recognition, and time will tell if Alt is the first recipient.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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