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.
Wtf
— Jerick Mckinnon (@JetMckinnon1) November 2, 2020
😳
— DJ Jones (@djjones_44) November 2, 2020
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.