New York Jets to sign LB Kwon Alexander (Report)

Alexander spent the last two seasons in New Orleans after previously working with Robert Saleh in San Francisco.

07/28/2022

Kwon Alexander, New York Jets, Getty Images

‘Ima make you eat them words straight up!’ the veteran LB declared

The New York Jets have reportedly added a San Francisco treat.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jets are set to add linebacker Kwon Alexander on a one-year deal. Alexander, set to turn 28 on August 3, will reunite with Jets head coach Robert Saleh, who oversaw two of his prior seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, one of which ended in the Super Bowl.

The LSU alum entered the league as a fourth-round pick of Tampa Bay in 2015 with nine pass breakups and four takeaways (two interceptions and forced fumbles each). He was named to the Pro Bowl at the end of the 2017 season and led the league in solo tackles (108) the year prior.

Alexander inked a four-year, $54 million deal with San Francisco in 2019. Though a torn pectoral limited him to eight regular-season games in that debut year with Saleh, Alexander played a sizable role in the 49ers’ run to the Super Bowl, an effort and energy that drew the defensive coordinator’s attention.

“Having Kwon is exciting. He brings a lot of juice, a lot of energy. Even in practice, if there’s a lull in practice, he’s the first to speak up to get guys going,” Saleh said prior to the 49ers’ run to the Big Game, per NBC Sports Bay Area. “From a coach’s view, it’s very beneficial to have a guy who, regardless of whether it’s bad or good, his voice is projecting positive energy and trying to get people rolling.”

Alexander was traded to the New Orleans Saints at the 2020 trade deadline, appearing in 19 games (15 starts) and tallying 50 tackles and six pass breakups. He’ll help bolster a relatively meager Jets linebacking corps in severe need of veteran help behind C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams.