The Los Angeles Chargers have a lot to look forward to in 2026.
First and foremost, it's the addition of Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator that provides reason for optimism heading into the new campaign. Under Greg Roman, the Chargers offense often looked lifeless and uninventive, failing to adapt to the pressures placed upon it by sub-par interior protection. Under McDaniel, things should look a whole lot different.
McDaniel, firstly, will aim to revolutionize Justin Herbert's game, enticing him to get the ball out quicker and operate in a West Coast-style passing game. Although Herbert certainly has the talent to extend plays and get the ball downfield, this will allow the offense to ease some of the pressure and overcome some of their deficits on the interior.
Secondly, McDaniel's outside-zone run scheme should help Los Angeles consistently set the tone on offense. With the burst of Omarion Hampton and Keaton Mitchell out of the backfield, this tool should be highly effective.
On the whole, McDaniel should be able to maximize many of the Chargers' offensive weapons.
But the introduction of Butch Barry as offensive line coach could also have a major impact. McDaniel and Barry's zone blocking scheme relies on movement and agility from the line as a whole. For players such as Cole Strange and Kayode Awosika, this is the sort of job description that could help them cement themselves as solid, starting-caliber guards.
But even for star tackle Joe Alt, it could be the mentality shift that helps him to fully unlock his game.
Joe Alt could thrive under Mike McDaniel and Butch Barry's zone blocking scheme
Across his first two seasons, Alt has become known as a stable anchor on the right side of the line. Under Roman's gap-blocking heavy scheme, Alt was one of the most reliable protectors in the league when he was available.
Everyone will need to make adjustments given McDaniel's emphasis on movement and physicality. But Alt is uniquely poised to make that shift. For example, here's what Draft expert Lance Zierlein had to say about Alt prior to his selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
"Alt plays a disciplined brand of football, avoiding penalties and working with fluid transitions from entry to sustain to finish as a run blocker. Alt is a capable drive blocker with the foot quickness to play onto the second level. He struggles to bend enough to compensate for his height and ends up playing with waist-bending and forward lean that can hamper his anchor against bull-rushers. Alt has quick hands and outstanding arm extension, promoting his ability to sustain blocks and redirect pass-rushers." Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
Coming into his Draft, Alt was seen as the top tackle in his class, in large part due to his sheer fundamental soundness. That's the aspect of his game that allowed him to succeed under Roman's scheme. But from Zierlein's scouting report, there's also clearly an aspect that has yet to be tapped— his athleticism and agility.
Alt posted a 5.05-second 40-yard-dash time at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. Per the NFL's metrics, he received a total athleticism score of 94, which was the second-highest among all offensive tackles at the event.
Of course, the mobility of the guards is the staple of McDaniel's scheme— not necessarily the tackles. But in a zone blocking scheme, the entire line moves as a unit when working to carve out the run. If the tackles are slow and non-agile, the whole thing falls apart rather quickly.
Alt, though, clearly has the skill-set and the athleticism to maximize his impact under this scheme. While he's been excellent to this point, we could easily see him take his game to a whole new level in 2026.
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