Can Kwon Alexander Be the Steelers’ Savior At ILB?
Photo Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
Ever since Ryan Shazier sustained a career-ending spinal cord injury during a 2017 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, the Steelers have sought consistency at the inside linebacker position.
Shazier was a gifted, athletic defensive player with size and speed who was the heart of the defensive unit. His versatility gave the defensive scheme versatility. These are all characteristics the Steelers have sorely lacked.
The free-agency signing of Kwon Alexander at the end of July could mark the end of the team’s woes at the position. Alexander brings stability to the inside linebacker spot that has been missing, especially with the unfortunate failure of the Devin Bush experiment.
Bush had a tremendous season as a rookie, but after a torn ACL ended his season in his second year in 2020, he was never quite the same.
“Whatever role they need me to play, I’m going to be that,” Alexander said during a media availability at the start of training camp. “I’m going to go out there and do my job and make big plays.”
That’s exactly the kind of mentality the Steelers need at the inside linebacker spot — a guy with no ego, a guy who’s going to give 110% every time they step on the field, and a guy who’s hard-nosed with a knack for being around the ball and likes to hit hard.
Alexander has dealt with some injuries during his career, but he played in every game last season with the New York Jets. As a result, he has plenty of game experience to fall back on.
He was listed as the backup left inside linebacker on the depth chart the Steelers released on Aug. 6 and has mostly played with the second unit during camp, but he’s received some first-team snaps as well.
His performance during the first preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers indicates that he should be getting serious consideration for the LILB starting job. He looked like a heat-seeking missile out there on the field at Raymond James Stadium.
“I had fun (out there) — it was legendary,” Alexander said after the preseason opener. “Just being back out there, being able to run around and hit again, just going out there with the team — I had fun.”
In 23 snaps he made two tackles, including one for a loss, but his presence was felt all around the field. He was flying to the ball the way a linebacker should. Plus, he’s hard-hitting to boot, something Steelers fans love, as evidenced by the “textbook” hit on Tampa’s Chase Edmonds that resulted in a questionable personal foul penalty.
“This is me, this is what I’m going to bring every day at practice, every day at the games,” Alexander said. “This is how I’m coming.”
Alexander looks and plays like a typical Mike Tomlin guy, which is clearly why he’s here.
“He’s a veteran guy, he knows what he’s doing and he brings energy,” Tomlin said after the win against the Bucs. “He’s highly competitive. I’m sure it’s easy to be competitive in these circumstances when you step in the bowls. But he’s highly competitive and an energy bringer in practice situations day-to-day, and I appreciate that.”
Alexander has played for the Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, and Jets since he was drafted in 2015, but it looks like he’s found a home in Pittsburgh.
His style of play and way he approaches the game fits with the Steelers’ defensive ethos perfectly.
“I really came here because of the defense,” Alexander said during a media availability at the start of training camp. “They’re really big on defense with the linebackers. Coach (Tomlin) and (inside linebackers coach Aaron Curry), they were really cool. I got to know him a little bit more and I feel nice with the players. I’m ready to rock out.”
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