This is going to be tough. The New Orleans Saints have a lot of reasons to work on a new deal with Kwon Alexander. He’s been everything they hoped to find in trading for him a couple years back, providing much-needed playmaking ability, NFL experience, and a sparkplug of energy in the lineup next to Demario Davis. He’s been a big part of their success on defense. You’d hope the team can work something out, but he’s earned a nice payday and should continue to start in the NFL. That may not be something the Saints can accommodate.
Alexander is a free agent coming off of a really strong year. And the Saints have an up-and-comer behind him on the depth chart in 2021 draft pick Pete Werner, who himself played well enough to earn more minutes. Unless Dennis Allen is about to dramatically shift his tendencies and take a defensive back (likely nickel C.J. Gardner-Johnson) off the field for most of their snaps to field a third linebacker, letting Alexander walk so Werner can step up makes the most sense. With Zack Baun unable to crack the rotation, they can’t afford to have two high draft picks as backups, especially when Werner looked so impressive as a rookie.
So where could Alexander go in free agency? Almost every team in the league should be happy to sign him as a 27-year-old in his athletic prime, coming off of a great season. But I’ve narrowed down the list to four teams that feel like the most-likely landing spots for him if he’s on his way out in New Orleans:
