Jan 2, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints middle linebacker Kwon Alexander (5) walks off the field at the end of their game against the Carolina Panthers at the Caesars Superdome. The Saints won, 18-10. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports.
Outwardly, the Minnesota Vikings don’t appear to require additional linebacking depth, but a newcomer could soon sign on the team’s dotted line.
He’s veteran Kwon Alexander, mostly known for a Pro Bowl appearance in 2017.
NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero tweeted Tuesday, two days after the Vikings upset the San Francisco 49ers at U.S. Bank Stadium: “The Vikings worked out LB Kwon Alexander.”
It is unclear if Alexander will parlay the audition into a regular season contract, but if so, at least fans would enjoy a recognizable name behind the current crew. Heading into Week 3, these are Minnseota’s off-ball linebackers:
Veteran Jordan Kunaszyk also lives on the roster but is on injured reserve.
A 4th-Round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2015 NFL Draft, here’s Alexander’s career resume to date:
Alexander has played 104 career games, starting 88, while tabulating 631 total tackles, 54 tackles for loss, 31 QB hits, 13.5 sacks, and 12 forced fumbles. Once upon a time — like eight years ago — the man was emerging as one of the most promising inside linebackers in the business.
Here’s his Pro Football Focus resume since 2015:
Alexander last played for the Steelers, where Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores came from after the 2022 season. Flores likely used familiar intel to determine whether Alexander was still effective, though that theory is merely speculative.
Through two games, Minnesota’s defense ranks fourth-best in the NFL per EPA/Play and is one of the primary reasons why the club is undefeated entering Week 3. Flores’ defense has tormented Daniel Jones and Brock Purdy in back-to-back weeks, defeating the embattled New York Giants on the road by 22 points and upsetting the Super Bowl runner-up San Francisco 49ers at home as a five-point underdog on Sunday.
Alexander led the NFL in solo tackles in 2016 with the Buccaneers. His 2023 campaign was cut short by a torn Achilles last November. He also made a game-ending interception for the Steelers on Thursday Night Football last season, securing a win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 9 — the week before his season-ending injury.
He turned 30 last month.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.