Alex Leatherwood was the big name that hit the waiver wire on Tuesday’s cut-down date. It’s not as if we didn’t see it coming. After all, his name was often thrown out as a possible surprise cut so many times leading up to the cut-down day that I was almost not surprised to see it. And yet, after failing to trade him, the Raiders said goodbye to a player who was a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
One day later, the Chicago Bears are making a surprise splash of their own by claiming Leatherwood off waivers:
Part of me is legitimately surprised to see the Bears claim Leatherwood off the waiver wire. Remember, by doing so, the Bears now inherit the remainder of Leatherwood’s rookie contract. Perhaps GM Ryan Poles thought a team behind them on the waiver order would take him. If that’s the case, then this is a heady move by Poles. Heck, it might be a thrifty move by Chicago’s GM without any caveat. The Bears just brought in a change-of-scenery candidate who was a first-round pick a year ago and was a star at Alabama. I understand Leatherwood was riding a struggle bus as a rookie in Vegas. But a prospect profile that features unanimous All-American honors, an Outland Trophy, and two first-team All-SEC nods makes for an impressive résumé.
I’m not sure where Leatherwood fits right now on the Bears line. But it’s not like that starting five was set in stone. And because the Bears snagged Leatherwood off waivers, that means someone has to go to clear a roster spot. More on that later. And more to come on this big, new addition.