Alex Leatherwood’s career in the National Football League is not going how he had hoped.
RELATED: Chicago Bears claim former Alabama OT Alex Leatherwood off waivers
He is looking for a third NFL home after getting cut Sunday from the Chicago Bears. Leatherwood, a former first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, was evaluated as one of the best offensive linemen in the class. He came to the University of Alabama as a five-star from Pensacola, Fla. Leatherwood assisted the Crimson Tide to a College Football Playoff National Championship in 2017, but he grew into becoming a Unanimous All-American. He helped Tua Tagovailoa to back-to-back 3,000+ yard passing seasons in 2018 and 2019 while blocking for Najee Harris to have 1,000+ yard rushing campaigns in 2019 and 2020.
The #Bears are releasing former 1st rounder Alex Leatherwood, source said
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 27, 2023
Leatherwood protected Mac Jones in the pocket to toss a single-season school record 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns in a CFP National Championship season in 2020. Leatherwood’s pass protection allowed Jones to connect with DeVonta Smith for 23 touchdowns and 1,856 receiving yards. Smith became the first wide receiver in Alabama history to win the Heisman Trophy.
Leatherwood won both Outland and Jacobs Blocking trophies in 2020. He also made first-team All-SEC.
It did not pan out for him with the Raiders and Bears. Hopefully, he gets another opportunity.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
