SHAWNE MERRIMAN IS GLAD HE RETIRED AFTER MEETING CHARGERS ROOKIE

Shawne Merriman was an imposing sight for opponents throughout his NFL career, but he's unsure how he would handle Joe Alt.

On Monday afternoon, the former Chargers linebacker posted a photo alongside their first-round pick. The 6-foot-9, 321-pound Alt makes Merriman look small by comparison.

"So glad I’m retired cause ain’t no way," Merriman wrote alongside the picture on X.

It's been a while since Merriman tallied 39.5 sacks for the then-San Diego Chargers from 2005 to 2007. He last suited up for the Buffalo Bills in 2012, so it's not like a comeback was in the cards for the 40-year-old.

Alt is now the rest of the league's problem.

The unanimous first-team All-American anchored Notre Dame's offensive line for three seasons before the Chargers made him the first draft choice of the Jim Harbaugh era. As the No. 5 pick, Alt was the highest-drafted offensive lineman since Andrew Thomas went No. 4 in 2020.

Harbaugh called it a "unanimous decision" to pick Alt, the "player on the top of our board."

"There's a ton of upside," Harbaugh said of the 21-year-old. "He's not a finished product. To be that good with where he's at, this is a high, high ceiling and a high floor. This is exactly what you wish for."

NFL defenders may spend the next decade reaching the same realization as Merriman when they line up against Alt.

2024-06-10T21:47:44Z dg43tfdfdgfd