NFL
Former Raiders Offensive Lineman Alex Leatherwood Claimed Off Waivers By Chicago Bears
Aug 31, 2022, 10:39 AM | Updated: Sep 1, 2022, 11:41 am

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 10: Khalil Mack #52 of the Chicago Bears rushes as Alex Leatherwood #70 of the Las Vegas Raiders guards during the first half at Allegiant Stadium on October 10, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jeff Bottari/Getty Images)
Alex Leatherwood did not last on waivers for long.
The former first-round pick for the Las Vegas Raiders was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Leatherwood, the 17th pick in the 2021 draft, was waived Monday. The last three first-round picks by the Raiders — Henry Ruggs III, Damon Arnette, and Leatherwood — are no longer on the team.
Raiders coach Josh McDaniels told reporters Wednesday they tried to give all players an opportunity to earn their roles.
“We gave everybody an opportunity to go out there and play and really perform. There’s a lot of tough decisions that you make across the roster, and you hope you get them all right. We’re not perfect at that, so hopefully we did the best we could for our team, and we tried to make the decisions that we thought would help us going forward. (I) wish Alex [Leatherwood] nothing but the best. He did everything he could here to try to earn his role here. Like I said, I wish him the best as he goes forward.”
Bears claimed five players on waivers: DB Josh Blackwell from the Eagles, DE Jonathan Kingsley from the Bills, OT Alex Leatherwood from the Raiders, NT Armon Watts from the Vikings, LB Stephen Weatherford from the Colts and TE Trevon Wesco from the Jets.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 31, 2022
The Bears now take over the offensive lineman’s contract, which has $5.9 million fully guaranteed over the next three years. Leatherwood was one of six players claimed by the Chicago Bears Wednesday morning.