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Be Legendary. This is the mantra for 49ers LB Kwon Alexander and it also became the mantra for the team in 2019. During the 2019 offseason the 49ers made an initial splash by signing LB Kwon Alexander to a big contract. There were questions regarding this signing, as he, just like two other key 49ers, was coming off an ACL tear during the 2018 season.
Alexander made a name for himself in Tampa Bay as a ferocious linebacker with great speed and the ability to run sideline-to-sideline and make impact plays. The general idea behind the signing seemed to be that 49ers GM John Lynch missed on his impact LB in drafting Rueben Foster in 2017, so Alexander was the man to fill that void. While I myself was skeptical about this signing, originally a 4-year $54 million dollar deal, when Kwon stepped onto the field for the 49ers the skepticism faded. The rallying cry turned hashtag, "Be Legendary," motivated the 49ers for a Super Bowl run. Alexander brought just as much off the field as he did on it.
On October 31st Alexander suffered a torn pectoral in a game vs. Arizona. He was placed on injured reserve and was thought to be out for the season. He was, as Alexander didn't play another down in 2019. In December a social media post from 49ers WR Kendrick Bourne referenced Alexander on the practice field, stating that Alexander told Bourne he would be back. A month later, a legendary return happened when the 49ers faced the Vikings in the Divisional playoff on January 12, 2020 and Alexander was suited up next to his fellow 49ers for the Super Bowl run. Truly legendary.
2019 Performance
Kwon Alexander didn't light up the box score in 2019. He played fairly well on paper, but his ability to boost the performance of players surrounding him was evident to 49ers fans watching every Sunday. Statistically, Alexander started 8 games, recording 34 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception and 1/2 a sack. Pro Football Focus graded Alexander at 61.3. Players who graded out at a similar level included Seattle LB K.J Wright (62.1), Dallas LB Leighton Vander Esch (58.6) & Minnesota LB Anthony Barr (59.9).
2020 Cost
This is an area where Alexander's value cannot be ignored. In 2019 he signed a huge deal to become a 49er. However, in 2020 he restructured that deal to give the 49ers more immediate cap space in an effort to try to keep the band together for another Super Bowl run. In doing so, Alexander now only carries a $4.5 million cap hit during the 2020 season. His willingness to sacrifice for the team is invaluable.
Future Outlook
Alexander is unquestionably a leader on this 49ers team. His presence brought fellow LB Fred Warner to another level and has helped a young group of inexperienced LBs transform itself into a confident group that goes by the name of the "Hot Boyzz". As much pageantry and personality that Alexander brings to the table, he doesn't match that in personal productivity. He is a good player, with a huge price tag after 2020. In 2021 & 2022 Alexander comes strapped with cap hits of over $16 million in each year. Add the emergence of LB Dre Greenlaw (on a rookie contract no less) to the mix and It's not hard to imagine the 49ers exploring all options in 2021.
Top 49ers Offensive Prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft
By Wayne P. Brown
Apr 23
With the 2024 NFL Draft just around the corner, the anticipation is palpable as San Francisco prepares to make their first first-round selection in over two years. Here, I present the top prospects for each offensive position, both inside and outside the top 100, with their potential to shape the team's future and draft grades.
Quarterback - Michael Penix Jr., Washington
2nd-round grade
Strengths:
Pocket passer
High IQ and processing
Blitz beater
Concerns:
Durability (Four season-ending injuries)
Accuracy outside the pocket.
Michael Penix Jr. is a great pocket-passing quarterback with a high IQ pre- and post-snap. He can read the defense well and
The San Francisco 49ers are among the 25 teams kicking off their offseason workout program today. However, don't expect to see players facing off against each other on the practice field for the next couple of weeks. The program's early portion, dubbed "Phase One," spans two weeks and includes limited activities such as meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation only.
The second phase of the offseason program extends for three weeks and includes on-field workouts for individual or group instruction and drills. After that, teams can hold up to 10 days of organized team activities on the practice field.
As the 49ers continue to negotiate a contract extension for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, it's important to note that all of these sessions are
Brock Purdy sends clear message to Brandon Aiyuk amid contract talks with 49ers
By David Bonilla
Apr 15
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will be present today as the team reports for the start of its offseason program. Purdy was a little early, as he hosted a youth football camp over the weekend.
Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group spoke to the 49ers quarterback during the event and asked him about one of his teammates, Brandon Aiyuk. The star wide receiver is currently in contract extension negotiations with the 49ers, and the team has emphasized keeping him around for the foreseeable future as an offseason priority.
Purdy has
Brock Purdy aims to take 'next steps' with 49ers, addresses future contract
By David Bonilla
Apr 15
Cam Inman of Bay Area News Group caught up with Brock Purdy over the weekend as the San Francisco 49ers quarterback hosted his inaugural youth football camp at Levi's Stadium. Today, Purdy and most of his teammates will report to the team for the start of the offseason program, which will be limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation over the next couple of weeks.
While this offseason holds significance for Purdy as he seeks to build upon an impressive 2023 campaign that saw him set a single-season franchise
