The expectations for a top five pick are lofty, and it was no different when the Chargers took Joe Alt at No. 5 overall in last year's draft.
The expectation was clear — he would slot right in along the offensive line and become a cornerstone of the franchise.
Not only did the rookie prove he could do just that in Year 1, he also set the bar high with what he could become.
"Not surprised at all," fellow tackle Rashawn Slater said about Alt. "The sky is the limit for Joe and he's going to keep getting better."
Alt completed his first campaign in the NFL and passed with flying colors, all while flipping over to right tackle after playing left tackle for the majority of his collegiate career at Notre Dame.
He made the transition look seamless, but it wasn't a surprise to those on the Bolts who saw his commitment and work ethic early on.
Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz recently recalled a phone call with Alt's agent after selecting him at No. 5 overall.
"It was funny with Joe. When we drafted him, his agent called me and said, 'Right tackle?' And I said, 'Yep,'" Hortiz said during his season-ending presser. "He was like, 'OK, he wants to know if he should start getting the reps.'
"Joe was out there the two weeks before he came in for rookie minicamp working on right tackle sets and stance," Hortiz added. "That's the type of guy he is. It's like, 'Wow,' because you know what he's doing right after he's drafted."
Take a look at the best photos from the Chargers 2024 campaign through the lens of team photographer, Mike Nowak, manager of photography, Ty Nowell, seasonal photographer, Mia Jones, and gameday photographer, Katie Albertson.
Win #1 - Week 1 against the Raiders kickstarted the Jim Harbaugh era with a win. As the Chargers Head Coach addressed the team, Owner Dean Spanos came in with two game balls — one for Harbaugh and one to General Manager Joe Hortiz for their first win. 'The Worm has turned' as someone in the locker room shouted. Having the access and showing people what they can't see on TV always makes shooting in the locker room cool after a win. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Heads Up - Here's AJ Finley going savage mode against the gunner on special teams in Week 2. As a photographer, special teams gives you a chance to focus on different things than you would on offense or defense, be it the line of scrimmage matchup, personal protector, punter or returner, anything. A lot of times, I'll focus on the gunner or vise to try and get the head-to-head matchups like this one. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
Flipping Out – This flip from J.K. Dobbins after a 43-yard touchdown run was the highlight of another historic performance in Carolina. He became the first Chargers running back to open a season with back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances, as he punctuated a dominant win to move the Bolts to 2-0 for the first time since 2012. "I've always admired people that can do that," Harbaugh said after the game. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Face of the Game - Here's a closeup shot showing the war paint of Denzel Perryman as he brings a smelling salt to his nose ahead of Week 4 against the Chiefs. The veteran linebacker spent his 10th NFL season back on the team he was drafted by in 2015. You can't really see it in the photo, but he's bringing a smelling salt up to his nose, which is something he did a ton of this season. It feels like football. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
Got Your Back - Tensions rose in the Week 8 home game against the Saints. After Justin Herbert let go of a pass in the second quarter, a New Orleans defensive lineman grabbed Herbert's knee/ankle — the one that had been injured earlier in the season — and twisted it as Herbert fell to the ground in pain. His center, Bradley Bozeman, promptly came to the defense of his quarterback, diving on top of him. Both were called for personal fouls that offset, but it ignited the Chargers en route to their fourth win of the season. This photo captures the look of admiration from Herbert to Bozeman back on the bench. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
'Are you Not Entertained?' – It was an explosive afternoon for the Chargers offense in Week 9 in Cleveland. This one was the biggest of them all, as Herbert found Quentin Johnston deep down the field for a 66-yard score. Normally on offense, I would be down field closer to the end zone, but I was sitting slightly behind the line of scrimmage to get shots of Justin Herbert throwing in the pocket. Once he tossed it deep, I knew I didn't have an angle to get anything useful of Johnston going into the endzone, so I stayed with Justin to get his celebration and he ended up doing this, sprinting down the field looking back at his fellow quarterbacks on the bench. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
Tip Drill - This shot was also from the Cleveland matchup, one where rookie Tarheeb Still had his breakout game. I like that you can see Browns receiver Jerry Jeudy with his hands up thinking he's got an easy touchdown, until Still leaped, got his finger tips on it and batted it to his teammate, Elijah Molden, for the first of three interceptions in the game. I was shooting all in the opposite end zone with my 600mm lens, which allows me to have coverage of the whole field even 100 yards away. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Two Sides of the Game - This photo was taken later in the game in Cleveland as the sun started to go down behind the stands, creating shadows across parts of the field. When the shadows start, you pay attention to where they are and try to use them to your advantage to make an interesting image, but this was a case of everything just working out and getting lucky with the positioning of the different players and timing. In this case, Herbert is celebrating in full sun while the Browns defender is in darkness, walking off the field defeated. It tells the story of the day in a single image, Chargers in the joy of the light, Browns in darkness. The kind of storytelling photo you dream about. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
Showing Love to the Bolt Fam - One more from Cleveland, this time coming postgame after the 27-10 win in Week 9. Justin Herbert went around high fiving the Chargers faithful that had made their way down to the first couple rows near our tunnel, making a quick detour to take a selfie with this lucky fan before going in to celebrate the Chargers' second-straight win in the locker room. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Under the Lights – The first home primetime game of the year in Week 11 against the Bengals called for a special shot. This one came courtesy of a remote camera hung on the bolt arch that the team runs out through. Here we have Gus Edwards running out, an image that was taken right as the smoke fired. What makes this image special to me is one of the photographers on the ground was using a flash and it popped right at the same time I fired the remote, lighting up Gus at the perfect moment. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Staying Ready – This is one we were prepared for after the touchdown. Knowing he'd done the backflip before, I let go of the lens I shot the touchdown with and grabbed the wider lens so I could capture the entire scene of Quentin Johnston flipping head to toe with SoFi Stadium in the background. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Primetime W – Another one from Sunday Night Football against the Bengals came moments after J.K. Dobbins iced the win for the Bolts with a 29-yard touchdown run. Every photographer has their postgame assignments, and since he had just scored the final touchdown, I took on J.K. Dobbins. Instead of heading towards the middle of the field like all the other players, J.K sprinted off towards the fans. I took off sprinting after him while holding up my camera to shoot photos. J.K jumped up into the air cheering and gave a salute to the fans. The wide angle shows off SoFi stadium during one of the biggest moments of the Chargers season. - Mia Jones/Los Angeles Chargers
Making Memories – The walk from the visitors locker room to the field at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta goes past a club that has windows where fans can see the players as they head out. As Quentin Johnston made his way to the field in Week 13, he made sure to interact with a young Chargers, giving him a memory of a lifetime. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Going the Other Way for 6 – The rookie cornerback's biggest play of the season came in Week 13 against the Falcons. Tarheeb Still read a Kirk Cousins pass perfectly and took it the other way for a 61-yard go-ahead pick 6. The interception happened right across the field from me, so I was able to get the whole sequence. Once he was running free, I got a couple of him going to the house and then switched from the normal focus button to my slow shutter panning settings and tracked him, creating the blur effect where just his upper body is in focus. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
Derwin Called Game – On a day dominated by the defense, Derwin James, Jr., put the finishing touches on the win with a game-sealing interception of Kirk Cousins, the defense's fourth of the game. It capped off a monster day from the Chargers safety. "I have it, getting it framed. It's basement-worthy, it's office-worthy," Harbaugh said of the photo. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Herbert Stage Right – Week 14 brought the Chargers to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in primetime. It's one of the best venues in sports, even more so at night, because of the history, but also because of the atmosphere and how loud it is. The air was wet that night and the fine mist gave this wide shot a hazy, cinematic feel. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
Moment of Reflection - Once the team makes their grand entrance onto the field a certain number of players will make their way to the end zone, a tradition that is common among players who want one last moment of reflection before the game clock starts. In this particular photo you will find cornerback Kristin Fulton kneeling down and looking up at the crowd. The angle of the photo helps showcase the unique atmosphere of SoFi Stadium while also focusing on Fulton's final part of his pregame routine. - Mia Jones/Los Angeles Chargers
Together – The first ever Thursday Night Football flex featured the Chargers in their final home game of the year. Before heading out to the field, the defensive backs always huddle up as a group. There's something about the family atmosphere of the position groups, and especially this year's defensive back group that was special. It's another one of those quiet moments off the field that we get to capture and that you won't see on the broadcast. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Still Motion - Another one from the primetime game against Denver. The night games help with being able to do slow shutter shots and create motion during a still moment, like this one of Tuli Tuipulotu before the snap. - Katie Albertson/Los Angeles Chargers
Following the Ball – This wild two-point conversion catch by Joshua Palmer continued the momentum that the Chargers would ride to a primetime win. What I love about this image is how it freezes a split second in such a crazy play. It was an absolute bullet of a pass that got tipped twice, but here you can see in Josh's eyes that this is the moment he knows he's going to haul in the crucial 2-point conversion - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Full Extension – After not having any receiving touchdowns in his career heading into Week 16, Derius Davis notched one in back-to-back weeks, this one coming in Week 17 against the Patriots. This photo is another instance of catching a split second that is more iconic in a still image than on video. When you watch the replay, you don't get the full sense of how crazy this catch was, but you can see the full extension in the image. Davis also being framed right in the middle of the offensive and defensive line looking on 25 yards behind the play is awesome. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
Breaking Free – Justin Herbert showed off the wheels more throughout the season — but he broke out the longest run of his career in Week 18 against Las Vegas. After moving around in the pocket, the quarterback took off running and as soon as he saw the open field in front of him, he started to smile during his 41-yard rush, something we've noticed him doing since his rookie year. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
Snagged – I was posted around the 20-yard line, and as soon I saw Justin Herbert load up to throw a deep ball, I located Quentin Johnston running the sideline and focused in on him. However, the referee ran in front of me and blocked him, so I just kept panning at the same speed hoping he'd emerge at some point. The referee then slowed down right as the receiver hit the 50-yard line, and I could see Quentin Johnston come back into my view finder right as the ball came in over the defender's head. The right side of the frame has a black vignette because that's part of the referee's leg still being in the frame. - Ty Nowell/Los Angeles Chargers
First INT feeling – The Bolts finished off the regular season on a high note, and it produced a great celebration shot as well. After Daiyan Henley's first career interception, the group ran to the end zone to join in on the celebration. Sometimes they run to the endzone we're not in, but on the road when they do, it's easier to spot me because I'm wearing powder blue in the sea of silver and black. So, Daiyan Henley and Derwin James, Jr., spotted me and veered over to get the group shot, with the Chargers safety also locating the broadcast camera to celebrate for the folks at home as well. - Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers
The day after the Bolts season ended, Alt reflected about his first year and what he took away the most from it.
"How much I've seen this year and what I've experienced," Alt said during locker room cleanout. "I've taken a lot in, seen a lot of different opponents, had ups and downs in games.
"Being able to feel that out is probably what I'll take away," Alt added.
A deeper look at Alt's season shows just how impressive he was as a rookie.
He finished with a 94.3 percent pass-block win rate, according to ESPN, which was the fourth-highest mark among offensive tackles in the regular season.
And according to Next Gen Stats, Alt allowed a 6.9 percent pressure rate when aligned at right tackle this season, the eighth-lowest among players with at least 200 pass-block snaps at the position.
He even made the flip to left tackle in the Chargers final regular-season game and was stellar there, allowing zero pressures on 41 pass blocking reps, according to Pro Football Focus.
"He didn't bat an eye and that's who he is," Slater said. "He's the ultimate competitor."
Alt finished the regular season boasting PFF's top offense (77.6), run blocking (71.6) and pass blocking (79.4) among rookie tackles.
He did it all while facing no shortage of competition, too, as faced some of the league's premier pass rushers and gave up more than two pressures in a game just twice in 17 total games.
It was something the rookie relished in as it helped him during the season and will be big heading into the offseason.
"It definitely taught me a lot about what you have to put into this game," Alt said. "They're the best in the league and it really teaches you where you're doing well and where you aren't doing well. You have to go back to practice those following weeks and work on those things.
"As the whole season comes to a close, you can go back to, 'Alright, who did I not do well against and why was that?' Just take those steps to improve," Alt added.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
Take a look back at the best photos of Head Coach Jim Harbaugh throughout his first year with the Chargers.
That improvement is something Alt is striving for as he enters his first full offseason as a pro.
With no pre-draft duties to look forward to this year as opposed to this time last year, Alt is eager to attack the offseason and dive into the tape from his rookie year.
"Being able to go back and look at the whole season … I'm not going to watch 18 games tonight. But it's a process where you go back through," Alt said. "The biggest thing for me is being able to tie in, 'What was I thinking mentally or where was I at going into that game?' and how I performed.
"Or 'What was my plan going into that game?' and how did I do? If I didn't do well then was my plan off or did I not respond well to who I was going against? If it did go well then how can I replicate this and make it happen week after week," Alt added.
This time between a player's first and second year is where Hortiz and Head Coach Jim Harbaugh said a player can see the biggest jump, and Alt is trying to do just that.
He plans on going through all of it ahead of his second season, as it's his chance to grow in all facets.
"Just take it one day at a time and really being able to go back and learn from what I've seen this season," Alt said. "I saw a lot of opponents, a lot of different play styles. Now, how I can improve my mental and my physical body?
"Get back in the weight room and on the field doing sets and things like that," Alt added. "But the mental side, just re-living the game and how I saw it mentally and how I can improve going forward."
The Chargers expected Alt to be great, and he was just that as a rookie.
Now with Year 1 in the books, those expectations only grow — and the excitement is real for what steps he could take in his second season.
"He's going to have a whole offseason to build and grow," Hortiz said. "Him and I have talked, and he's talked with Coach [Harbaugh]. He's talked with the assistants, Greg [Roman] and [Mike] Devlin and he's got a plan already.
He added: "The sky is the limit for him, and I can't wait to see what he comes back as."
