A few years ago, the Las Vegas Raiders made a controversial decision in the 2021 NFL Draft, selecting offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood with the 17th overall pick to bolster their offensive line for then-starting quarterback Derek Carr.
Unfortunately for Las Vegas, this decision did not pay off as expected. Leatherwood struggled from the beginning and never found his footing with the Raiders, resulting in the team unexpectedly releasing the former Alabama Crimson Tide standout.
After being cut by the Raiders in 2022, Leatherwood briefly joined the Chicago Bears and later signed with the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad.
Leatherwood’s stint in Cleveland was also short, leading to his recent signing with the Los Angeles Chargers, a key division rival of the Raiders, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team.
Currently, Leatherwood is seeking another opportunity to prove himself in the NFL, as his career trajectory has been disappointing, and many consider him a first-round bust.
Despite the challenges ahead, Leatherwood has a chance to revive his career under the guidance of new Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh. This could be his last opportunity to succeed in the league, as failure to perform might end his professional career.
