Saints officially releasing LB Kwon Alexander; move saves over $13M against the salary cap

3/16/21 Update:

The move is official as of today:

With the new league year upon us, the New Orleans Saints are still looking to clear cap space. Linebacker Kwon Alexander is reportedly expected to be a cap casualty, per Ian Rapoport. The move comes on the heels of a torn Achilles that Alexander suffered in December, although Alexander expects to be back for training camp.

Cutting Alexander saves the Saints over $13 million against the salary cap without any dead money, so it doesn’t come as a surprise. However, it is a disappointing ending in New Orleans for Alexander, who was brought over from the 49ers midseason last year to aid the Saints in a hopeful Super Bowl run.

Alexander’s pending release hurts a Saints linebacker corps that is already in dire straits. Demario Davis is the one stalwart on the second level for the Saints, while Alex Anzalone looks poised to test free agency and 2020 second-round pick Zack Baun is still a total unknown.

The Saints defense is retaining many of its key pieces, but the supporting cast is rapidly being depleted. Alexander recorded 27 tackles for the Saints in seven games, and he recovered a pair of fumbles while forcing one.

The Saints likely won’t find someone who can replicate Alexander’s production, but they need to at least get a share of it back and give Davis some help.