Amidst the numerous key players departing from the San Francisco 49ers this free agency period, the exit of cornerback Charvarius Ward leaves a significant gap in their secondary that must be filled.

Ward has signed a three-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts, but his departure might pave the way for another skilled cornerback, Jaire Alexander, the contentious star from the Green Bay Packers. The Packers and Alexander have experienced a turbulent offseason, to say the least.

Although Alexander still has two years left on his current contract, rumors suggest that both parties are interested in parting ways. For instance, Kelly Hallinan reported an uncomfortable encounter with Alexander in the Packers’ locker room earlier this offseason, which fueled speculation about a potential move.

“When Jaire Alexander was asked to engage with the media during locker room cleanup, he refused, stating he is uncertain about his presence here next year,” she noted. Despite these reports, Green Bay’s general manager, Brian Gutekunst, has maintained that the Packers are attempting to resolve matters with Alexander, which might lead to reconciliation and his return in 2025.

“All possibilities are still being considered: release, trade, or return,” ESPN’s Rob Demovsky writes. Should he seek a new team in 2025, the 49ers have emerged as a probable destination for the former All-Pro defensive back. “I could mention the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Kansas City Chiefs as teams that entered the draft with needs at the position but did not select cornerbacks in the first two rounds,” writes Albert Breer.