Kwon Alexander was the first signing by the San Francisco 49ers during the free agency period. The New York Jets were also reportedly in pursuit of the young linebacker. He ultimately decided to go with the 49ers' four-year, $54 million offer.
Alexander joined KNBR on Tuesday night and shared why he picked the 49ers over the Jets or any other team which might have been courting him.
"Just the whole culture and then just the people out there," Alexander said on the "Tolbert and Lund" show. "John Lynch, I know him. He's a great [general manager], and he was a great player too.
"The defense, I just knew they were missing a piece. I feel like I can be that piece, go out there, and we can turn the tables around and get to the playoffs and championship."
Alexander's name is yet another one to add to the list of 49ers players returning from a torn ACL. The team lost running back Jerick McKinnon on September 1, 2018. About three weeks later, it lost starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to the same injury. Alexander's injury occurred about a month after Garoppolo's.
The 49ers are hopeful Alexander can be ready for the regular season. He said during the interview that he started running last week.
"We just working every day and getting better every day," Alexander added.
Alexander was called the "heartbeat of the defense" by general manager Jason Licht and former head coach Dirk Koetter during his time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He plans to serve the same role with the 49ers once healthy.
The 49ers already have a vocal leader on defense in veteran cornerback Richard Sherman. Alexander has no problem stepping in to help in that role and holding everyone accountable for their play on the football field.
"I've got a job to do and we've all got a job to do, and that's win games, so everybody's got to be on top of their stuff," Alexander said. "Everybody's got to be accountable of doing what they're supposed to be doing. If not, somebody's going to have to talk to them. If it has to be me, I'm going to do it, and we're going to handle it."
You can listen to the entire interview with Alexander below.
