Kwon Alexander is an American football linebacker best known for his aggressive tackling, sideline-to-sideline speed and productive early years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Born on August 3, 1994, in Oxford, Alabama, he played college football at LSU before entering the NFL in 2015 as a fourth-round selection.
Since then, Kwon Alexander has built a career spanning seven NFL franchises, including the Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos and Detroit Lions. His journey has included a Pro Bowl selection, major defensive roles and several one-year contracts.
Who Is Kwon Alexander?
Kwon Alexander is a linebacker who played college football for LSU and entered the NFL with Tampa Bay after being selected 124th overall in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. NFL records list him at 6-foot-1 and 227 pounds.
His athleticism quickly translated to the professional level. During his first two seasons, he became a major contributor for Tampa Bay, recording 93 combined tackles as a rookie and following that with 145 tackles in 2016. His 2016 campaign remains the statistical high point of his NFL career.
The linebacker also became known for creating turnovers. In 2016, he recorded an interception that he returned 38 yards for a touchdown. The following season, he produced three interceptions and 70 interception-return yards.
Kwon Alexander’s NFL Career
Alexander spent his first four NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His breakout came in 2016, when he started all 16 games and accumulated 145 combined tackles, three sacks and seven passes defended. He was selected to the Pro Bowl that season, establishing himself as one of the league’s more productive young linebackers.
His time in Tampa Bay ended after the 2018 season, and he joined the San Francisco 49ers in 2019. Injuries limited his appearances during that period, but he became part of a defense that reached Super Bowl LIV following the 2019 season.
In 2020, Alexander played for both San Francisco and New Orleans. The Saints acquired him during the season, giving him another opportunity to contribute in a defensive system built around experienced players. He remained with New Orleans through 2021 before moving to the New York Jets in 2022.
Teams and Career Timeline
| Period | NFL Team | Notable point |
|---|---|---|
| 2015–2018 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Breakout years and Pro Bowl selection |
| 2019–2020 | San Francisco 49ers | Played on a Super Bowl team |
| 2020–2021 | New Orleans Saints | Returned to a significant defensive role |
| 2022 | New York Jets | Played all 17 regular-season games |
| 2023 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Recorded 41 combined tackles |
| 2024 | Denver Broncos | Played three games |
| 2024 | Detroit Lions | Finished the season with Detroit |
NFL statistics show 109 regular-season games and 92 starts for Alexander through his 2024 season. He finished that span with 643 combined tackles, including 449 solo tackles, along with 13.5 sacks, 34 passes defended, nine interceptions and 13 forced fumbles.
💡 Pro Tip: When evaluating a veteran linebacker such as Alexander, look beyond total tackles. Starts, games played, interceptions, sacks and defensive role provide a better picture of how consistently a player was used over an entire career.
What Made Alexander Effective?
Speed was one of Alexander’s defining qualities. At his best, he could cover substantial ground against running plays and close quickly on ball carriers. That athletic profile also helped him contribute in pass coverage and create turnovers.
His 2016 season illustrates that versatility particularly well. Along with 145 combined tackles, he registered three sacks, seven passes defended, one interception and a defensive touchdown. Those numbers explain why that season remains central to discussions of his NFL peak.
Another important part of his career was durability relative to his opportunities. Although injuries affected several seasons, Alexander appeared in all 17 games for the Jets in 2022, making 12 starts and recording 69 combined tackles.
His later career was different. After playing nine games for Pittsburgh in 2023, he appeared in only five games during 2024, splitting time between Denver and Detroit. NFL’s career statistics currently list 2024 as his latest season with recorded game statistics.
College Career at LSU
Before becoming a professional, Kwon Alexander played for LSU, one of college football’s prominent defensive programs. His path from Oxford, Alabama, to Baton Rouge gave him the opportunity to develop against Southeastern Conference competition before entering the NFL Draft.
Tampa Bay ultimately selected him in the fourth round in 2015. The Buccaneers’ own historical review identifies Alexander as one of the franchise’s fourth-round picks who went on to make a Pro Bowl.
That draft position is notable because his early NFL production exceeded what is normally expected from a mid-round selection. His rapid emergence also helped establish him as a recognizable name among NFL linebackers during the latter half of the 2010s.
Kwon Alexander’s Career Statistics
The strongest statistical stretch came early in his career. In 2016, he posted 145 combined tackles, while his career total eventually reached 643. His nine interceptions are particularly notable for a linebacker, as are his 34 passes defended.
His career numbers also reflect the changing nature of his role. Earlier seasons featured heavy starting responsibilities, while later seasons involved shorter stints and fewer appearances.
For readers researching his statistics, NFL’s official player database is the most useful starting point because it separates season-by-season totals and defensive categories.
What Happened to Kwon Alexander?
The latest official NFL statistics available for Alexander cover the 2024 season, when he played three games for Denver and two for Detroit. He recorded six tackles with Denver and four with Detroit, giving him 10 combined tackles across those five appearances.
There are no 2025 game results listed on his NFL statistics page, and the NFL’s 2025 player log shows no results for that season. That means readers should be cautious about websites that present an older roster affiliation as proof that he is currently under contract with a particular club.
As of the latest available NFL statistical record, Alexander’s professional playing career has therefore been defined by his seven-team journey, early-career production and ability to continue finding opportunities as a veteran linebacker.
📌 Key Takeaway: Kwon Alexander’s NFL story is built around a standout beginning in Tampa Bay, including a 145-tackle Pro Bowl season in 2016, followed by a long veteran career across several defensive systems. His official NFL statistics currently extend through the 2024 season.
Frequently Asked Questions
What position did Kwon Alexander play?
Kwon Alexander played linebacker, primarily in the middle linebacker or inside linebacker role. NFL lists him as an MLB and identifies LSU as his college. His responsibilities throughout his career included run defense, pass coverage, tackling and occasional pass rushing.
When was Kwon Alexander drafted?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Alexander in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft with the 124th overall pick. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 of the 2015 season and immediately became a starter.
Did Kwon Alexander make a Pro Bowl?
Yes. Alexander was selected to the Pro Bowl following his 2016 season with Tampa Bay. That year, he recorded 145 combined tackles, three sacks, seven passes defended and one interception, making it the statistical high point of his NFL career.
How many teams did Kwon Alexander play for?
Alexander appeared for seven NFL franchises: Tampa Bay, San Francisco, New Orleans, the New York Jets, Pittsburgh, Denver and Detroit. His NFL statistics show regular-season appearances for all seven teams between 2015 and 2024.
What are Kwon Alexander’s career totals?
Through the 2024 season, Alexander recorded 109 regular-season games, 92 starts, 643 combined tackles, 449 solo tackles, 13.5 sacks, 34 passes defended and nine interceptions. He also recorded 13 forced fumbles.
Conclusion
Kwon Alexander’s career stands out for the impact he made early and the longevity that followed. His Pro Bowl campaign with Tampa Bay established his reputation, while later stops with San Francisco, New Orleans, the Jets, Pittsburgh, Denver and Detroit extended his NFL journey.
For anyone researching Kwon Alexander today, the clearest picture comes from combining his career statistics with his team history. The numbers show a linebacker who produced at a high level during his prime and remained a recognizable veteran presence well into the latter stages of his career.
