The San Francisco 49ers’ defense struggled mightily in their recent loss to the Los Angeles Rams, raising concerns about their linebacker depth in the absence of Dre Greenlaw. One potential solution could be a familiar face: Kwon Alexander.
Alexander played eight games for the 49ers during their impressive 2019 season, contributing 34 tackles, two tackles for a loss, and an interception before an injury sidelined him. He returned for the postseason and made several key plays, including a tackle and a pass deflection in the Super Bowl. Ironically, it was Greenlaw, then a rookie, who stepped up to fill Alexander’s shoes, showcasing his own talent and even making a game-saving tackle against the Seattle Seahawks that year.
With Greenlaw currently recovering from an injury sustained in the previous Super Bowl, the 49ers find themselves in need of linebacker depth once again. While Fred Warner remains one of the league’s best, the recent performance of De’Vondre Campbell and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles has been underwhelming.
Campbell struggled against the Rams, giving up a touchdown and committing a costly pass interference penalty. Flannigan-Fowles also appeared out of his depth, notably losing his footing while attempting a tackle.
The 49ers’ defensive vulnerabilities were exposed against a Rams team missing key offensive players, raising concerns about their ability to compete against stronger opponents. At 30 years old, Alexander might not be the long-term answer, but he could provide valuable experience and depth.
The Minnesota Vikings have reportedly expressed interest and recently worked him out. The 49ers should consider bringing Alexander in for a workout to assess his current abilities.
He might offer more than what Campbell is currently providing.