Steelers linebacker Kwon Alexander fined for unnecessary roughness hit in preseason game

A flag on Kwon Alexander in the Steelers preseason opener cost the linebacker a hefty fine. That’s because he lowered his helmet when he made the tackle.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that the league fined Alexander $43,709 for the hit. Game officials tagged him for unnecessary roughness.

“These types of hits with the head lowered are a point of emphasis this season,” Pelissero said. “Alexander was fined for the same offense in 2022.” It’s unclear when the league fined Alexander last season since the NFL never announced it. But the fine is standard for when a player commits the penalty a second time.

The NFL fined #Steelers LB Kwon Alexander $43,709 for unnecessary roughness in last week’s preseason game against Tampa Bay.

These types of hits with the head lowered are a point of emphasis this season. Alexander was fined for the same offense in 2022.pic.twitter.com/hY9en1qB4R

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 19, 2023

Officials flagged Kwon Alexander on his tackle of Chase Edmunds

So what happened on the play? Baker Mayfield appeared to check down and hit running back Chase Edmonds on a screen. Kwon Alexander hit Edmonds chest high. From his celebratory reaction, he thought it was a clean hit.

Alexander is a former LSU star. He got to the NFL in 2015 as a fourth-round draft pick of Tampa Bay. So maybe he was a little excited to make a play against his first team. He’s also played for 49ers, Saints and Jets. His first fine for unneccesary roughness came during his tenure with the Jets. He played in all 17 games last season, with 12 starts.

He was a free agent this offseason. The Steelers signed him to a one-year deal in late July and he arrived in Latrobe, Pa, at the end of the first week of training camp. Alexander is 28. He’s started 86 games in his career, making 590 tackles with eight interceptions.

Alexander is competing for a starting spot at inside linebacker with fellow free agents Cole Holcomb and Elandon Roberts and second-year Steeler Mark Robinson.

“We don’t have a preconceived notion about a role,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of Kwon Alexander when the linebacker signed. “We have some very capable guys at the position. We’ll put him in an environment like this and let them sort it out.”

Alexander says he can be an every-down guy or a situational player depending on what the Steelers need him to be.

“I’m both,” Kwon Alexander told reporters. “I can do it all. Well, the majority of it all. Those guys can do it, too. I’ve been watching them out here. They can do it, too. We’re working to be the best linebacker group there is.”