4 linebackers the NY Jets can replace Kwon Alexander with

The NY Jets have remained interested in re-signing veteran linebacker Kwon Alexander throughout the offseason, but as the months have gone by, the possibility of a reunion in Florham Park has seemed less and less likely.

Alexander took an official visit with the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this month, and although no signing appears imminent, it's clear that other teams are interested.

There's every chance that Alexander, who played 49 percent of the Jets' defensive snaps in 2022, doesn't return in 2023. If that's the case, the Jets will have a pretty sizable hole to fill in their defense.

What might they do? Which players could they target to replace Alexander? Let's take a look at four potential replacements for the former Pro Bowl linebacker.

4. The NY Jets can sign Zach Cunningham

It's remarkable how quickly some off-ball linebackers have gone from being amongst the most notable players at their position to nearly out of the league in recent years. That's a trend you might notice when looking at this list.

One such individual who fits that criteria is former Houston Texans linebacker Zach Cunningham. Cunningham was the NFL's leading tackler in 2020 after signing a hefty four-year, $58 million extension that summer.

Since then, he's played for two different teams and is still looking for a new home as we approach June. Still just 28 years old, Cunningham is a strong run defender who started six games for the Tennessee Titans last season before landing on the injured reserve.

Cunningham is a liability in coverage, but he could provide value as the Jets' base package SAM linebacker in the mold of Alexander. He's someone the Jets should be keeping an eye on.

3. The NY Jets can roll with Jamien Sherwood

One option to consider if the Jets don't re-sign Kwon Alexander is the possibility that they just opt to roll with the young linebackers already on their roster. This wouldn't be my preference, but it's something I could totally see the Jets doing.

The most likely internal replacement for Alexander is Jamien Sherwood, A fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Sherwood has played sparingly over the first two seasons of his career, but he has impressed in limited playing time.

The former Auburn safety started four games as a rookie before a torn Achilles cut his season short. He returned as a backup in 2022 and played just 25 defensive snaps, although he was a core special teamer.

Sherwood has been groomed to be a potential replacement for C.J. Mosley and has served as the team's backup MIKE linebacker. He'd be shifting to a different role in this scenario, but it's one he could thrive in.

Sherwood has shown the ability to be an above-average run defender in his limited action. He is a quick processor and has adapted quite well to his new position in the NFL.

I think Sherwood has genuine starter upside, and trusting him with being the team's third linebacker would be a significant responsibility for the young linebacker. If the Jets feel he can handle it, though, I wouldn't be surprised if they go this route.

Other potential options include Hamsah Nasirildeen, sixth-round rookie Zaire Barnes, and Chazz Surratt, although Sherwood would likely have the inside track to the job.

The Jets' linebacker depth is thin as is, but I wouldn't be opposed to Sherwood taking on a larger role in 2023.

2. The NY Jets can sign Deion Jones

Another free-agent linebacker who is likely past his prime is Deion Jones. A second-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Jones quickly developed into a star for the Atlanta Falcons, making the Pro Bowl in just his second NFL season.

Jones established himself as one of the best linebackers in football and bounced back from a foot injury in 2018 to sign a four-year, $57 million contract the following summer.

Jones would put together a couple of more solid seasons before falling off a proverbial cliff with a disastrous 2021 season. The Falcons traded Jones to the Cleveland Browns this past October, and he'd go on to appear in 11 games with his new team, making five starts.

Still, at just 28 years old, Jones isn't ancient by any means. He's far from the player he used to be, but he can still be effective in a part-time role. There's also the fact that he has a little history with the Jets' coaching staff.

Jones has ample experience with Jets' defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich dating back to their days together in Atlanta. Ulbrich served as Jones' direct position coach and later his defensive coordinator for nearly the entirety of the latter's time with the Falcons.

The Jets don't need Jones to be the All-Pro linebacker he used to be — they just need him to play on early downs as a base-package SAM linebacker. He can still fill that role.

Jones has the athleticism needed to fit Robert Saleh's defense and has plenty of experience with the Jets' current defensive coordinator. He makes a ton of sense as a potential target.

1. The NY Jets can sign Myles Jack

Another free-agent linebacker who has experience with the Jets' coaching staff is Myles Jack. Jack crossed paths with Robert Saleh in Jacksonville when the latter was serving as the Jaguars' linebackers coach.

Although they only spent a year together, Saleh was a part of the coaching staff that pushed to draft Jack in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Saleh clearly thought highly of him at the time.

Much like Jones and Cunningham, Jack may be just 27 years old, but he's seemingly past his prime. At his peak, Jack was one of the best linebackers in the NFL. He parlayed his success into a four-year, $57 million extension in 2019.

He wouldn't finish out his deal in Jacksonville, however, as the Jaguars released him last offseason. Jack signed a two-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, although he would once again be released this past March.

It's been a couple of years since Jack was a legitimately starting-caliber three-down linebacker, hence why he's still a free agent in late May. That doesn't mean he can't still provide value to the Jets, however.

Similar to Jones, Jack has always been an excellent athlete for the linebacker position, and his experience with Saleh could help his case. He certainly fits the prototype of a typical Robert Saleh linebacker.

If the Jets are unable to re-sign Kwon Alexander, it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if the team pivoted to Myles Jack. He checks all the boxes.