Chargers officially sign Joe Alt, leave one rookie left unsigned

The LA Chargers surprised many fans and pundits alike by taking Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt with the fifth pick. Because of the roster need and his irrefutable talent, many assumed the Bolts were going to take LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers with the pick.

Alas, general manager Joe Hortiz opted to add to the trenches instead with Alt, who is one of the safest tackle picks in recent years. While anything can happen, it would be genuinely shocking if Alt does not carve out a long-term, productive career in the NFL.

The Chargers are hoping that the best years of that career can be spent in Los Angeles. With just over a month removed from the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bolts have finally agreed to terms on Alt's rookie deal. The fifth-overall pick has signed a four-year, $33.2 million contract with a $20.9 million signing bonus.

Chargers sign Joe Alt, leave Ladd McConkey as only unsigned rookie

The only rookie the Chargers need to sign after putting pen to paper is second-round pick Ladd McConkey. Los Angeles traded up for McConkey, who is sure to play a huge role in an offense that is depleted at wide receiver.

While McConkey is the last rookie to sign it is not something that Chargers fans should inherently worry about. There are hardly ever issues with signing rookie deals and even in the case that there is, like with Joey Bosa in 2016, it typically gets resolved before the season.

Any time there is an issue with a rookie contract it has to do with the signing bonus and if there is any offset language attached. That is what the issue was with Bosa and it ultimately bled into training camp. Second-round picks naturally have far smaller signing bonuses than high first-round picks, so there is less at stake for McConkey and the Chargers.

Just like with Alt, a deal will get done with McConkey with plenty of time to spare. It is not a matter of if a deal will get done, but when it will get done.