It took only one game for Chargers' Joe Alt to emerge as an All-Pro candidate

Joe Alt looks like an All-Pro at left tackle for the Chargers

Transitioning from right tackle, where the Chargers envisioned him starting once again this fall, to the blindside of Herbert, is no easy feat. The NFL is loaded with athletic edge rushers who thrive on exploiting young linemen still adjusting to the pro game, and facing off against a division rival in Kansas City only added to the challenge.

The game was also in Brazil.... and Alt also saw Chris Jones for a few reps in isolation. It wasn't easy, folks.

Still, Alt’s performance was marked by poise, elite technique that he was praised for out of Notre Dame, and the same fundamental consistency that made him one of the “safest” offensive line prospects in the 2024 draft class.

In South Bend, Alt built his reputation as a technician. He wasn’t always the flashiest prospect, but his balance for a man of his stature (6-foot-8), hand placement, and understanding of leverage was far beyond his years. Those qualities translated immediately to the pros, where Alt allowed just six sacks in 641 pass pro snaps in 2024.

Moreover, the value of a player like Alt can’t be overstated. While franchise quarterbacks typically dominate conversations about roster building, the protection around them often dictates success or failure. And having an athlete who can step in and play one of the NFL's premium positions on the field is a massive advantage for the Chargers. Instead of scrambling to find a patchwork solution at left tackle, they’ve found stability in a player still scratching the surface of his potential.

It also speaks to Alt’s mental makeup. Moving across the line isn’t just about flipping footwork -- it requires adjusting instincts, angles, and matchups against defenders who know how to exploit any hesitation. Yes, it's where Alt played in college, but this isn't a matchup against a USC or Clemson; it's the Chiefs, and things move differently at the NFL level. For a player to handle that at a new spot against a premier opponent suggests that Alt’s ceiling is going to only continue to elevate.

For Herbert and head coach Jim Harbaugh, that’s a comforting thought. Week 1 provided a glimpse of what life will look like with Alt as this season's blindside protector with Slater on the shelf, and if it's anyone's guess as to how it will go, Week 1 showcased a heck of a young talent on the brink of superstardom.