Joe Alt's presence on the Chargers' offensive line was one of the key driving forces to their wins this season. Before even getting into any fancy advanced metrics, just look at their record. The Chargers are 4-0 when Alt starts and finishes a game. In the games he didn't play or left early due to injury, they're 3-4.
The Chargers have had over 20 different offensive line combinations as a result of the injuries to Alt, Rashawn Slater, Trey Pipkins, Mekhi Becton, and others. Prior to the Chargers' loss in Jacksonville, OC Greg Roman talked openly about the lack of continuity along the offensive line being a problem.
Joe Alt is more important to the Chargers' offense than any player not named Justin Herbert
Aaron Schatz of FTN Fantasy pulled some stats on Los Angeles' offense that demonstrate just how important Alt is:
Most analysts exaggerate the impact of singular players on an NFL team that aren't quarterbacks. If anything, the Joe Alt discourse might be understating his impact.
— frank (@realfrankbrank) November 19, 2025
h/t @ASchatzNFL pic.twitter.com/DafzJ1Ud7A
The staggering 32.9% difference in DVOA itself would be enough to drive home the difference between Alt and pretty much any other tackle on the Chargers' active roster. But the EPA/play number with the Notre Dame product on the field is staggering. For context, that figure of 0.104 EPA/play with Alt on the field is just 0.006 points behind what Sumer Sports calculated as Justin Herbert's 2024 EPA/play at 0.11.
The stats without Alt also make it clear that Los Angeles is scrambling for answers. The performance of Austin Deculus at left tackle and the injury to Alt, among other factors, are what forced the team to attempt a trade for former first-round pick Trevor Penning.
While it wasn't the easiest situation for the new Chargers' tackle to be placed in, the Jags game wasn't the debut that Penning or the team wanted. Penning allowed five pressures and a sack vs. Jacksonville while committing two penalties. A 90.3 pass blocking efficiency vs. Jacksonville was the lowest of Penning's season. He was benched for Deculus.
Coming out of the Chargers' BYE week, no one really knows who the answer at the left tackle spot will be. Will Jim Harbaugh stick it with Trevor Penning? Could it be Bobby Hart after a few weeks to rest up his knee injury? There are several options in play for the Chargers as Harbaugh even mentioned Jamaree Salyer as a possibility.
Whoever the Chargers end up going with, one thing is clear by looking at the advanced metrics with and without Alt: they're rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic until he returns in 2026.