Before officially signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, linebacker Kwon Alexander sent out a fiery message ahead of the 2023 season that detailed what his plans are.
Kwon Alexander Plans To Show ‘No Mercy’ in New Home
Alexander, once on a $54 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers before making a brief stop with the New York Jets, delivered an eight-word message on what he plans to do with opponents in his new digs.
“This time around I ain’t showing no mercy!” Alexander said on social media.
That Friday post certainly energized members of the Steel Curtain fan base. Alexander was greeted with the Steelers flag following his message. Another fan replied to Alexander, “LFG 9.” One more Steelers fan told Alexander he believes the defense will be special.
“Let’s get it big dog, this defense is gonna be special!! Here we go!” the fan said.
Alexander Will Aim To Recapture Pro Bowl and NFC Title-Winning Form
Alexander, 28, is now on his fifth NFL franchise in a career that began as a fourth-rounder out of LSU in the 2015 NFL Draft.
But the 6’1″, 227-pound outside linebacker will seek to recapture two notable forms from his past.
One is the 2017 season, which witnessed Alexander earn his first Pro Bowl appearance while with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That was the season Alexander snatched a career-best three interceptions. He also tallied 97 total tackles in 12 games played.
The other is the 2019 season, which was a year before Alexander signed his blockbuster with the 49ers. Playing for a stacked defensive line that featured DeForest Buckner, Richard Sherman, and a rookie named Nick Bosa, Alexander ended the season as an NFC champion while providing additional speed opposite of Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw. And that was also the season that saw him go down in November with a torn pectoral.
Since then, Alexander has bounced around three teams, including the Steelers. He managed to play in a combined 19 games with 15 starts with the Saints, totaling 50 tackles with 39 solo stops and seven tackles for a loss.
In his reunion with former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh with the Jets, Alexander improved his season totals from the previous six seasons with 69 tackles, 42 solo stops, and six tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Alexander, though, caught the attention of Jets fans on social media back in May 2023 by teasing a potential return to the team by emulating the team’s “Take Flight” celebration in his rap music video.
Free agent LB Kwon Alexander (@kwon) released a new song that features some #Jets chatter/references & he does the #TakeFlight celebration ✈️ 🧐 🎥 kwon pic.twitter.com/LEKiIxFWBS
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) May 19, 2023
Alexander Addresses Past Injury History With Pittsburgh Media
While Alexander has arrived with new energy and firing off a threat to his competition this fall, there are skeptics who wonder if he can stay healthy.
Outside of his 2019 pec injury, Alexander has dealt with ACL and bicep tears and, on Christmas 2020, suffered an Achilles tear.
He was asked about his injury history by the Pittsburgh media on Sunday.
“I’m not really worried about the past,” Alexander said. “I’m worried about the future right now. The future looks amazing. Legendary. I’m ready to go out and play.”
He’s now in a room featuring Alex Highsmith (14.5 sacks last season) and perennial Pro Bowler T.J. Watt.
“We’re working to be the best linebacker group there is,” Alexander said. “I’m very confident in myself and my abilities to come out and make plays.”
One more final message Alexander sent out? An image involving him clad in his new colors.
Glory to God!
It’s ⌚️ https://t.co/oc423SVTDe— Kwon Alexander (@kwon) July 31, 2023
