NFL: Tide Players Cut

A Hard Decision

With NFL roster cuts beginning as the preseason ends, 25-year-old Alex leatherwood, former Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman, has been released from the Los Angeles Chargers. Other former Crimson Tide players that have been released include Irv Smith Jr. who was released by the Kansas City Chiefs.

NFL teams must make some hard decisions going into each season as they make cuts to get their roster to 53.

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Alex Leatherwood released from Chargers

Leatherwood was drafted in the 2021 NFL Draft at pick No. 17 in the first round by the Las Vegas Raiders.

With a 4-year fully guaranteed $14.49 million dollar contract, Leatherwood started in every game his rookie season. In 2022 Leatherwood was waived by the Las Vegas Raiders only one year into his rookie contract before signing with the Chicago Bears in August of 2022. Following an unfortunate pattern early in his career, Leatherwood was later released to the Cleveland Browns. Earlier this year Leatherwood signed with the Chargers, now cut as the preseason has ended.

Irv Smith Jr. released from Chiefs

Irv Smith Jr. is also in the spotlight as he was released by the chiefs amidst preseason roster cuts. The 26-year-old tight end and former Crimson Tide player under now retired head coach, Nick Saban, was drafted in the 2019 NFL draft as a second-round pick making him the 50th selection to the Minnesota Vikings. According to spotrac.com Smith Jr. spent 4 seasons with the Vikings on a 5.7-million-dollar contract with a 2.2 million signing bonus 2.9 guaranteed and an average salary of 1.4 million.

Irv Smith Jr signed with the Cincinnati Bengals last year before being picked up by the Kansas City Chiefs. The 6'2 240-pound tight end had 4 receptions for 22 yards during the 2024 pre-season. According to espn.com Smith Jr. has 109 receptions on 152 targets in his NFL career with 10 touchdowns.

Irv Smith Jr. and Alex Leatherwood are still young at 25 and 26 years old, there is no doubt that they will find a system that will use their strengths to the advantage of the team. We hope nothing but the best for former Tide players as they continue to develop in the NFL.

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