The Chicago Bears hope that all Alex Leatherwood needs is a fresh start.
That’s why they claimed him off the waiver wire, together with five other players.
The Bears have claimed former Raiders OL Alex Leatherwood.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 31, 2022
Aside from Leatherwood, the Bears also took tight end Trevon Wesco and nose tackle Armon Watts.
Chicago also claimed linebacker Sterling Weatherford, defensive end Kingsley Jonathan, and defensive back Josh Blackwell.
Originally an offensive tackle, Leatherwood was switched to guard due to his struggles.
Because he did not deliver according to expectations, the Las Vegas Raiders tried to trade him, but no one showed interest.
The Bears got him for nothing this time, which doesn’t hurt much if he faltered again.
He will have a chance to compete for playing time against the likes of Teven Jenkins, Cody Whitehair, Zachary Thomas, and Ja’Tyre Carter.
His early struggles in the NFL are disappointing, considering that he won two national championships with Alabama.
He was also a Unanimous All-American in his final year with the Crimson Tide.
Leatherwood also received the Outland Trophy and Jacobs Blocking Trophy in the same year.
However, Pro Football Focus ranked him the 80th best guard out of 82 players.
He’s also dead last with guards with at least 1,000 snaps.
Leatherwood Was Gruden And Mayock’s Mistake
Though he became a champion in college, some experts do not see Leatherwood as a first-round pick.
However, then-general manager Mike Mayock and then-head coach Jon Gruden thought otherwise.
As a consolation, Leatherwood wasn’t the only pick wherein Gruden whiffed.
They also drafted Clelin Ferrell, who only has eight career sacks in three seasons.
There’s Johnathan Abram, who has also struggled.
Henry Ruggs III and Damon Arnette are not with the team anymore because of their own doing.
Leatherwood hopes to make things right with the Bears.
NEXT: Should The Bears Just Trade Roquan Smith At This Point?