Linebackers Kwon Alexander and Fred Warner grew close in their one-and-a-half seasons together. The two trained together over the offseason and likely planned on playing alongside each other for years to come.
That ended on Monday when the San Francisco 49ers traded Alexander to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for a conditional fifth-round draft pick and veteran linebacker Kiko Alonso. The move clears up some money for the salary-cap strapped Niners and ends Warner's and Alexander's time together.
The former teammates shared an exchange via Instagram, which was summed up below by our friends over at @TheSFNiners (h/t to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports).
The Hot Boyzz officially put the flame out 🧯 #49ers pic.twitter.com/1uyhjfcn80
— TheSFNiners (@TheSFNiners) November 2, 2020
"I wouldn't be half the player I am without 56. I'm forever in debt, when it's all said and done you really a legend. That's my brother [for life]. I already know how you comin," Warner shared via Instagram.
Alexander responded: "My dawg for life bruh! Keep being you and keep applying pressure! The link up will be real freddooooo!!"
Warner wasn't the only former teammate disappointed by the trade. Several 49ers players expressed their thoughts via social media.
Wtf
— Jerick Mckinnon (@JetMckinnon1) November 2, 2020
😳
— DJ Jones (@djjones_44) November 2, 2020
Big Dawg know we gone keep the block hot! Appreciate you for being the dude you are everyday! @kwon
— Keaundre Greenlaw (@DreGreenlaw) November 3, 2020
San Francisco initially signed Alexander to a four-year deal worth $54 million in March of 2019. He missed eight games last season due to injuries and has been sidelined with a high-ankle sprain since Week 5 of this season.
Meanwhile, Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, a teammate of Alexander's last season in San Francisco, welcomed the linebacker.
Emmanuel Sanders reacts to the Kwon Alexander trade and is stoked his former #49ers teammate is headed to The Saints. pic.twitter.com/HpqGKp0sIj
— OurSF49ers (@OurSf49ers) November 2, 2020