A couple of years back, the Las Vegas Raiders made a controversial move during the 2021 NFL Draft by selecting offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood with the 17th overall pick. Their aim was to bolster protection for then-starting quarterback Derek Carr.
Regrettably for Las Vegas, the decision didn’t yield the desired results. Leatherwood struggled from the outset and failed to meet expectations, prompting the Raiders to release him. Following his departure from the team in 2022, Leatherwood had brief stints with the Chicago Bears and the Cleveland Browns’ practice squad.
Continuing this trend, Leatherwood’s time in Cleveland was short-lived, leading him to sign with the Los Angeles Chargers, a bitter rival of the Raiders, as reported by Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team.
The #Chargers have signed former #Raiders first-round OT Alex Leatherwood. An interesting pickup… pic.twitter.com/WnXASHUOYx
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) May 29, 2024
At present, Leatherwood is eager for another opportunity to showcase his abilities in the NFL. His career trajectory has been disappointing, with many branding him a first-round draft bust.
Though Leatherwood faces an uphill battle to secure a roster spot in Los Angeles, playing under the guidance of new Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh could be the catalyst he needs to fulfill his potential in the NFL. However, failure to succeed this time around could spell the end of his professional football career.
