The New York Jets have reached a deal with veteran outside linebacker Kwon Alexander on a one-year deal worth $1.12 million with a $152,000 signing bonus.
Alexander was a pivotal role in Robert Saleh’s defense with the 49ers that got them to the Superbowl in the 2019 season. After spending the beginning stint of his career in Tampa Bay, Alexander came over to the Bay in 2019. Halfway through the 2020 season, Alexander made his way over to the New Orleans Saints where he finished the season. He played this last season in 2021 with the Saints as well, where he recorded a career-high 3.5 sacks to go along with one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one interception. Alexander played a pivotal role in a Saints defense that singlehandedly kept the Big Easy in the wildcard hunt until the last possible moment.
Kown Alexander is now the fifth key player to be reunited with Head Coach Robert Saleh from his days under Kyle Shanahan with the 49ers. Laken Tomlinson, D.J. Reed, Solomon Thomas, and Marcell Harris were all added as cornerstone pieces to what has been the most exciting Jets offseason in a decade – all four players have experience under Saleh in San Francisco and can provide great leadership to an improving defense.
Arrows point to Kwon Alexander taking over as the starting weak-side linebacker in the Jets 4-3 base defense. Quincy Williams and C.J. Mosely will continue to start at strong side and middle respectively. Alexander likely beats out Hamsah Nasirildeen based on numbers and production – Nasirildeen recorded zero sacks last season in 12 games played. And while Marcel Harris has even more experience with Saleh than Alexander does, coach Saleh has preached attacking the quarterback all offseason, which Alexander has shown the ability to do not just in Saleh’s system, but in systems in Tampa Bay and New Orleans as well.
