Kwon Alexander's time with the San Francisco 49ers is over. In a bit of a surprising move, the team has traded the linebacker to the New Orleans Saints, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The 49ers will receive a conditional fifth-round pick and linebacker Kiko Alonso as part of the trade, per Schefter and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.


Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports that the conditional pick is a 2022 selection that becomes a 2021 selection should Alexander hit his playing-time incentives.


"Kwon's time with our team might not have been long but it was very impactful," said general manager John Lynch via a statement issued by the 49ers. "A tremendous teammate, his non-stop motor, ferocious play, and selfless nature helped establish a standard for our locker room that will carry on. On behalf of the entire organization, I want to wish Kwon all the best and thank him for all of his contributions to our team."

Alexander has not played since suffering a high-ankle sprain during Week 5 against the Miami Dolphins. He was in his second season with the team after the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer signed with San Francisco as a free agent last year.


Alexander recorded 30 tackles, three tackles for a loss, a quarterback hit, a sack, and a forced fumble through five games this season. He was set to count over $33 million against the salary cap over the next two seasons and counted nearly $4.6 million against the cap this season.


49ers running back Jerick McKinnon and defensive tackle D.J. Jones were quick to react to the news of their teammate being traded.


Alonso spent the past two seasons with the Saints. The veteran linebacker was a second-round draft pick by the Buffalo Bills in 2013. He has spent this season on the reserve/physically-unable-to-perform list after suffering an ACL injury last season in a playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings.

Alonso finished last season with 31 tackles, three for a loss, two quarterback hits, and a pass defensed.

The 49ers and Saints face each other on November 15.

Related News




More San Francisco 49ers News