Familiarity with Sean Payton continues to land sure gamers gigs in Denver, as a handful of ex-Saints assistants are additionally on the second-year HC’s workers. Add Kwon Alexander to the Saints-to-Broncos pipeline.
The veteran linebacker labored out for the workforce, per 9News’ Mike Klis, and ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter notes the membership is making a apply squad addition. Alexander will be a part of the Broncos at The Greenbrier in West Virginia, the place they’re making ready for his or her Week 4 sport in opposition to the Jets.
Coming back from the second Achilles tear of his NFL career, Alexander had beforehand auditioned for the Falcons and Vikings. The Broncos noticed sufficient to greenlight this reunion. Alexander will be a part of a Broncos workforce that already homes seven ex-Saints — Adam Trautman, Wil Lutz, Malcolm Roach, Calvin Throckmorton, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Lucas Krull and Jordan Jackson — on its energetic roster.
Alexander spent 2022 with the Jets and 2023 with the Steelers however was dealt from the 49ers to the Saints in 2020 and performed the entire 2021 season — Payton’s New Orleans finale — with the NFC South workforce. Alexander, 30, began 15 video games with the Saints beneath Payton. He aided a division champion in 2020 and recorded 3.5 sacks, regardless of working primarily as an off-ball LB, in 2021
Whereas the Broncos’ ILBs coach (Greg Manusky) was not in New Orleans then, ex-ILB Michael Wilhoite — Denver’s OLBs coach — was on Payton’s workers throughout Alexander’s tenure. Alexander additionally recovered a fumble in opposition to the Broncos throughout a 2020 matchup finest remembered for the AFC West workforce having no energetic QBs resulting from COVID-19.
Previously a standout Buccaneers ‘backer who earned a profitable 49ers free company deal in 2019 regardless of coming off an ACL tear, Alexander noticed his first Saints season finish resulting from an Achilles tear and sustained the identical harm — albeit to his different Achilles — in November of final 12 months. The Saints nonetheless re-signed the talented defender in August 2021. Alexander has performed successfully in spurts. He began 12 video games for a top-five Jets protection in 2022. Final season, Professional Soccer Focus graded the nine-year vet as a plus protection ILB. Nonetheless, given the in depth harm historical past right here, the Broncos will certainly wish to see how he seems in practices.
Denver signed Cody Barton to start out alongside Alex Singleton this offseason, letting Josey Jewell defect to the Panthers. Jonas Griffith had competed with Barton for that gig however didn’t make the workforce, struggling one other main harm. Justin Strnad and Kristian Welch are in place as Denver’s second-string ILBs. Alexander will certainly have an opportunity to maneuver as much as the 53-man roster quickly.
