There's been a number of Chargers standouts so far this year — and a pair of them recently got some recognition at the midway point of the 2024 season.
Both Chargers Defensive Jesse Minter and rookie right tackle Joe Alt were recognized with midseason accolades from The Athletic this week for how they've each helped the Bolts get off to a 5-3 start.
The Athletic's Mike Sando handed out midseason awards earlier this week and tabbed Minter as the 'clear choice' for the top defensive assistant in the NFL so far.
Minter's unit boasts the league's best defense in both points allowed per game (12.6) and EPA per play allowed (-0.159), as well as rank sixth overall in defensive DVOA (-12.3 percent).
Sando noted Minter was the easy pick because of how he has quickly turned around the Bolts defense.
Sando wrote:
Minter stands out because he has instantly driven the NFL's largest year-over-year defensive reversal, turning the 28th-ranked defense by EPA per play — both last season and over the previous four — into the No. 1 unit this season through Week 9. Over the previous three seasons, the Chargers ranked no higher than 25th after eight games or through a full season…
The Chargers' defense [is] 11.4 EPA per game better this season, best in the league.
The group has had a number of players step up, including a number of rookies who have slotted in throughout the year with seemingly no drop off.
Even with his work, the defensive play caller deflected the credit and gave praise to the players for all their success thus far.
"Myself and Coach Harbaugh, we're very aligned in our expectations but more so our standards that we try to create," Minter said Thursday. "When you create standards of how you operate and how you try to do things, yeah you hope they lead to results. And when they do, a lot of times it just enforces the process.
"There were already a bunch of really good players here. It was a good situation here because there was a hunger to be really, really good," Minter added. "To the players' credit, they jumped in right from the start. Anything Coach [Harbaugh] said, anything we said, they were pretty much on board with and willing to roll with it."
But the work is far from over for Minter and his defense, even after the impressive start.
"So far it's gone well, but like I always say, it's a week-to-week league," Minter said. "You can't sit around and say, 'Hey, look where we're at right now.' We certainly don't try to do that but happy with where we're at and trying to chase ways to get better."
Check out the best photos from the first practice of Week 10 on Wednesday at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
The Los Angeles Chargers practice on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 at The Bolt in El Segundo, CA.
Another member of the The Athletic, Dane Brugler, also released his midseason accolades, sorting out the all-rookie team so far.
Brugler extensively covers the NFL Draft and checked in on the newcomers that have been standing out early in their careers.
Something that stood out to the NFL Draft expert? Alt is the real deal.
Brugler wrote:
In an historic offensive tackle class (six selected in the top 20), Alt was clearly the best of the group pre-draft, and that's held up midway through his first season.
Despite a few rocky reps versus Myles Garrett on Sunday, Alt has played at a high level since returning from an MCL sprain that held him out for [one] week. The Notre Dame product was a left tackle only in South Bend, but he has adapted quickly to right tackle in the NFL, allowing only 10 pressures through seven games. Though it was tough to pass on [Malik] Nabers (in the moment and in hindsight), the Chargers have to be thrilled having Alt as a cornerstone of the franchise.
Alt ranks first among rookie tackles in Pro Football Focus' defense grade (73.8) and pass blocking grade (72.5). He also ranks second in run blocking grade (73.1) and has allowed the fewest pressures among rookie tackles with at least 150 snaps.
Although Alt was the lone member of the Bolts to make Brugler's all-rookie team, he did recognize other players of Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz’s rookie class.
Wide receiver Ladd McConkey was the second honorable mention listed on Brugler's list at receiver, with the rookie leading the Bolts in receptions (35) and receiving yards (440).
He also listed other honorable mentions like third-round linebacker Junior Colson and cornerback Tarheeb Still, each of whom have contributed to the dominant defensive start through the first half of the year.
