Joe Alt couldn’t have asked for a more challenging test in his NFL regular season debut, as he was tasked with going up against Maxx Crosby. But the rookie offensive tackle aced it.
According to Next Gen Stats, Alt allowed zero quarterback pressures in 11 pass-block snaps against Crosby. If that stat wasn’t already eyebrow-raising, Crosby had not been held to zero pressures against an offensive lineman since Week 9 of the 2022 season.
On the day, Alt allowed three pressures across his 28 total pass-block snaps.
Alt was a wall in pass protection with active feet, athletic posture, strong anchor and nice balance throughout each repetition.
Coaches and players heaped high praise on Alt after the game.
“Joe Alt, he played really good,” Jim Harbaugh said. “Super happy for Joe.”
Justin Herbert added: “He’s a true ball player out there.”
Alt’s performance was even more impressive because he has only been playing right tackle for five months. The former Notre Dame product was a left tackle in college but was drafted to play opposite Rashawn Slater.
“Super proud of him. I’ve always known from the very beginning he was going to be dominant,” Slater said about Alt. “I have no doubt he dominated today. I haven’t even looked at the film, but I just know he did. Sky is the limit.”