The NFL offseason is heating up as the 2026 Draft approaches, but for the Los Angeles Chargers, the most promising development might be happening in the training room. After a 2025 season derailed by injuries to their bookend offensive tackles, the Bolts have received a crucial health update that could reshape their fortunes.
Last season was a nightmare for the Chargers' front line. Rookie standout Joe Alt and Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater both suffered season-ending injuries, leaving massive gaps in protection for franchise quarterback Justin Herbert. The ripple effect was undeniable, contributing to offensive struggles and a disappointing campaign.
Now, there's a wave of optimism. General Manager Joe Horitz has announced that both Alt and Slater are on track to participate when the team begins offseason workouts next week. This is a monumental step for a unit desperate for stability.
Slater is recovering from a severe ruptured patellar tendon suffered last August, while Alt's rookie year was cut short by complications from an ankle sprain. The team is wisely taking a cautious approach, emphasizing they won't rush either star back to full contact before they're ready.
Their impending return is the cornerstone of the Chargers' offensive rebuild. With new coaching on offense and several free-agent additions already in the fold, getting their elite tackles back provides a clear foundation. It allows the front office to focus its draft strategy, potentially on bolstering the interior line, rather than scrambling to fill gaping holes on the edges.
The big question now hanging over Costa Mesa is one of potential. Can a fully healthy offensive line, anchored by Alt and Slater, unlock Justin Herbert's MVP-caliber talent? If these two can return to form, it won't just improve pass protection; it could re-establish the Chargers' offense as a dynamic force and propel them back into the AFC playoff conversation. For Herbert and the Chargers' faithful, that recovery timeline is the most important countdown of the offseason.