Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Kwon Alexander shares why he decided to join the 49ers, provides rehab update
Mar 20, 2019 at 7:00 AM
•
Videos are auto-populated by an affiliate. This site has no control over the videos that appear above.
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.
Facebook Comments
More San Francisco 49ers News
Why ESPN analyst hopes 49ers address O-line in the draft
ESPN analyst Matt Miller watches the San Francisco 49ers differently than other teams. As a 49ers fan, he feels more invested in the team's successes and failures than most analysts.
With the draft nearing, Miller made it clear which direction he believes head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch should take with their first pick. In his ESPN mock draft, a seven-round doozy, the analyst had the 49ers selecting former Arizona offensive lineman Jordan Morgan.
Miller recently joined the 49ers Webzone "No Huddle" podcast, sharing why he adamantly hopes the team addresses the offensive line at the end of the month.
"So I
Deebo Samuel and Brock Purdy are why the 49ers can afford to pay Brandon Aiyuk
It's evident that the San Francisco 49ers engaged in long-term financial planning. Much discussion has centered around the feasibility of the team committing significant financial resources to two wide receivers, Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Some skeptics question the wisdom of such heavy investment in a single position, especially considering that the 49ers handed Samuel a substantial three-year extension merely two years ago.
Adding complexity to this debate is the impending contract extension for quarterback Brock Purdy, positioning him to become the highest-paid player on the team. He will likely even become one of the NFL's highest-paid players. Where he ranks in average salary will depend upon whether he can replicate the stellar performance of his Pro Bowl 2023
Report: 49ers in discussions with WR Trent Taylor about reunion
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports that the San Francisco 49ers are discussing a potential reunion with wide receiver Trent Taylor. The team drafted Taylor out of Louisiana Tech in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft, marking head coach Kyle Shanahan's first year with the 49ers.
The #49ers are talking with free-agent slot receiver/return man Trent Taylor about a possible return to the team, according to a source. He was a 2017 draft pick of the team before moving on to play for the Bengals and Bears.— Matt Maiocco
Draft Watch: Western Kentucky WR Malachi Corley visiting 49ers on Wednesday
The San Francisco 49ers are hosting several draft prospects this week as the deadline for pre-draft visits draws near. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2, the team will host former Western Kentucky wide receiver Malachi Corley on Wednesday.
Corley is expected to be a Day 2 pick. San Francisco owns two selections on Day 2—the No. 63 overall pick in the second round and the No. 94 overall pick in the third round. Currently, the receiver is visiting with the Seattle Seahawks.
Western Kentucky @WKUFootball receiver Malachi Worley
