The Chicago Bears claimed Alex Leatherwood off waivers in the summer after the Las Vegas Raiders surprisingly cut the former 1st round pick. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus felt the former Alabama offensive lineman was too talented to pass up. They had the money to handle his contract. The 23-year-old was worth exploring. He has since spent the last few months getting acclimated to the Bears’ offense. Playing time was hard to come by, though. Braxton Jones locked down the left tackle spot, while Larry Borom and Riley Reiff handled right tackle.
However, as the Bears fell to 3-9, many felt the timing was right for the team to give Leatherwood a look. They weren’t going to the playoffs this year. It was time to see what they had to work with. Their wish was granted—sort of. Leatherwood ended up playing in a rotation with Reiff for most of the game. It was a perplexing move to some. Why rotate the guy when every snap mattered to his development? It turns out there was a good reason for it. Leatherwood had lost 25 lbs during his bout with mononucleosis earlier in the season. His conditioning hasn’t been where it was prior to contracting the illness.
So the Bears found a way to get him some work without completely wearing him out.
“Just trying to get my wind back. It kind of affects the whole health or whatever but that month of being off and trying to get back into playing shape, I feel like that was the hardest part. I feel like I’m good. I could definitely be better but it’s a process every day. It won’t happen overnight.”
Alex Leatherwood didn’t look bad in his first game.
He was involved in two of the biggest plays of the games. One was Justin Fields‘ 56-yard bomb to Equanimeous St. Brown, where the tackle was left on an island. Then he held up long enough to give Fields time to scramble out before finding N’Keal Harry for another 49-yard strike. He also did some nice blocking in the run game whenever the Bears went in his direction. It was something to build off of. The big question is whether they will keep this rotation to ease him in or eventually start him.
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One has to imagine they give him a full game at some point. They must know if he can become their long-term option at right tackle. If the answer is yes, then their off-season priorities will likely change. It would allow them to focus more on other positions like center and wide receiver. It would be a major test with Philadelphia, Buffalo, Detroit, and Minnesota all boasting strong defensive lines. Whatever ends up happening, this was a good way for the Bears to rebuild the confidence of Alex Leatherwood.
Knew this season was going to be a clunker. The first half of the year was to see how the 1st team did. Here in the 2nd half it’s time to see the bench players come on and see how they audition for next year’s team. That’s what 2022 is, an audition for 2023.
Sanborn is in.
Herbert is in.
Jenkins is in.
Sorry everyone, but the Bears will regret signing this guy. The Raiders tried him at 3 different positions on the OL, and he was terrible and one the most penalized linemen last year. How many bad teams like the Raiders give up on their first round draft pick after one year?
I had mono and strep at the same time as a senior in high school. Wiped me out. Put me in the hospital for 2 weeks and they told me if I wanted to leave I had to be bound to the main floor of home and not walk stairs etc for at least another couple weeks. So I did. I was in very good shape, playing in both track and football and physically at the time and was back feeling fine and up to snuff a couple months later. Sucked bad. But Leatherwood needs to be back by now.… Read more »
season has turned to cr*p… but I think fans if they were honest with themselves knew it was going to be.
but things are actually playing out JUST about perfectly.
we have been ‘in’ every game except 1, so far. translation we are only a FEW plays/players away from winning some of those games.
we hang in or lead… giving us SOME joy… yet getting the “L” but ‘winning’ in the draft lottery.
so… I still say this season is turning out PERFECT
Richard: Yes, Leatherwood is in the second year of a rookie contract. However, since we took him on a waiver claim, that rookie contract is a first round contract. So while Braxton Jones is starting every game (barring injury), he’s getting paid like a fifth round pick, while Leatherwood is sitting and recovering from mono and getting first round money. So there is some urgency to find out if he is the long term solution at right tackle, left guard, or if he’s another overly expensive contract the Bears should shed. I’m hopeful that he’s a long term piece, but… Read more »