Free-agent offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov. The former Raiders first-round pick in 2021 out of Alabama is set to join his fourth NFL team in as many years, but landing with an organization going through a rebuild could help him turn his career around. The 25-year-old won the 2020 Outland Trophy, which is given to college football's most outstanding interior lineman, and he was a first-team All-American while playing in the SEC. The Bolts are looking to become a physical football team under new head coach Jim Harbaugh, so it'll be interesting to see if Leatherwood can carve out a role in 2024.
The Chicago Bears released former first-round offensive guard Alex Leatherwood on Sunday, according to a source. The Las Vegas Raiders took Leatherwood with the 17th overall pick in the 2021 draft out of Alabama. He made it one season in Vegas before being cut and claimed by the Bears. But Leatherwood only played in four games in 2022 and now finds himself back on the open market. The 24-year-old will be hoping to latch on with another organization as offensive-line depth for the 2023 regular season, but he's going to need to improve quickly if he wants to continue his NFL career.
The Chicago Bears activated former Las Vegas Raiders first-round offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood from the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list on Friday, and he should make his season debut in Week 8 against the Dallas Cowboys. The 23-year-old won't start in his first game for the Bears, but they're hoping he can provide valuable depth for their offensive line moving forward. Leatherwood was taken with the 17th overall pick by the Raiders in 2021 out of Alabama, but he didn't work out for them in his 17 starts as a rookie.
The Chicago Bears placed former first-round offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood (illness) on the Non-Football Injury list on Wednesday, putting him out for at least the next four weeks. Leatherwood is dealing with mononucleosis, but head coach Matt Eberflus said, "We feel great about where he is and him coming back." The 23-year-old was inactive in the Week 1 season-opening win over the San Francisco 49ers, and he won't make his NFL debut for at least another four weeks. Leatherwood started all 17 games at right tackle as a rookie in 2021 with the Las Vegas Raiders, but he wasn't very good and was cut by Las Vegas last month. The Bears will sign Michael Schofield to take Leatherwood's spot on the roster.
The Chicago Bears claimed former Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood off waivers on Wednesday. The Raiders tried to trade Leatherwood this summer but found no takers, so they finally waived the former first-rounder on Tuesday. The 23-year-old quickly landed on his feet with the Bears, where he'll serve as offensive line depth behind right guard Teven Jenkins and right tackle Riley Reiff. Leatherwood is guaranteed $6 million in salary over the next three seasons, which is why he was impossible to trade. The Bears will attempt to coach Leatherwood up after he failed to impress in his lone season with the Raiders.
The Las Vegas Raiders waived former first-round offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood on Tuesday, according to a source. The Raiders had been looking to trade Leatherwood this summer, but he was difficult to move given his $6 million guaranteed salary over the next three years. The 23-year-old was the 17th overall selection last year out of the University of Alabama, but he was so disappointing at right tackle that the Raiders shifted him to right guard. Leatherwood has been better as a run-blocker, so ideally he'll land with a team that prefers to run the ball.
The Las Vegas Raiders are facing a major decision on second-year offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood with final roster cuts less than a week away. The 17th overall pick in last year's draft has fallen behind in the training camp battle at right tackle, and people with knowledge of the team's thinking suggest the Raiders could trade or release him if they don't choose to move him from tackle back to guard, where he played most of his rookie season. The current Raiders coaching staff has no ties to Leatherwood and have made it clear their decision on the final 53-man roster will be predicated on performance and fit rather than financial obligations, draft status or experience. Jermaine Eluemunor is currently the favorite for starting duties at right tackle.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood was moved from right tackle to right guard after just four games in his rookie season after being a first-round pick, but he has spent a lot of time back at right tackle this offseason. Leatherwood was drafted to be a tackle, and head coach Josh McDaniels said he'll be given every opportunity to win the job back. The Raiders are trying everything to boost the play of an offensive line that fell well short of expectations in 2021, and Leatherwood returning to his natural position would be a positive development in 2022.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood is back working at right tackle in practice at voluntary organized team activities on Thursday. Leatherwood was working at tackle during the practices open to the media last week as well. The 23-year-old is getting work at multiple positions this offseason as the Raiders look to revamp their offensive line after a tough season in 2021. The former first-rounder has spent the majority of his time at right tackle after struggling mightily at the position in his rookie season and being moved to right guard. Leatherwood started all 17 regular season games last year, but he'll have to perform better in training camp in order to earn a starting job at either tackle or guard to open the 2022 season.
Las Vegas Raiders offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood could be looking at a position change this offseason. The second-year tackle was drafted 17th overall by the Raiders last season. He came into the league as a right tackle, but moved to right guard after struggling to begin the season. Raiders GM Dave Ziegler is uncertain where Leatherwood will play next season. It doesn't sound like the Raiders organization is going to hand Leatherwood a starting spot because of his high draft position. The organization is likely going to try out different spots on the o-line during training camp. Hopefully Leatherwood will find a home somewhere on the offensive line. The last thing the Raiders need is another high draft pick being a bust.
Alex Leatherwood
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Chargers
