Former 49ers linebacker Kwon Alexander signs with Broncos practice squad

The Denver Broncos signed veteran linebacker Kwon Alexander to their practice squad on Wednesday. Alexander is entering his 10th NFL season and, if he starts a regular season game, would be playing for his sixth NFL franchise. By joining the Broncos, Alexander will also be reunited with Sean Payton, who was previously his head coach during a stint with the New Orleans Saints.

San Francisco 49ers fans may remember Alexander as one of Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch's sizable free agent investments early in their tenures. After spending the first four seasons of his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Alexander hit the open market as one of the best linebackers. Although Alexander was actively recovering from a torn ACL, the Niners were willing to offer Alexander a sizable four-year contract with $25.5 million guaranteed.

Unfortunately, Alexander never quite lived up to expectations. Injuries limited him to just eight starts in his first year with the team, and he ultimately only appeared in 13 games with the Niners before being traded to Payton and the Saints during the 2020 season. After spending a season and a half with the Saints, Alexander rejoined former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh in 2022 and joined the New York Jets. He appeared in all 17 of the Jets' games, starting 12 times, before joining the Steelers in 2023.

Over the course of his career, Alexander has appeared in 104 games (88 starts), recording 631 tackles, 54 tackles for loss, 34 passes defensed, 31 quarterback hits, 13.5 sacks, 12 forced fumbles and 9 interceptions. In nine games (two starts) with the Steelers last season, he recorded 41 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 2 quarterback hits, 1 sack, 1 pass defensed, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception.