Jaire Alexander’s spell with the Green Bay Packers may be drawing to a close. Reports have emerged, hinting that the two-time Pro Bowl cornerback is likely to have donned the Packers’ green and yellow jersey for the last time, an outcome that had been brewing for nearly two seasons.
Alexander, who was the 18th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, has been an integral part of Green Bay’s defense when fit. However, his playing time has been significantly impacted by injuries, limiting him to only 14 games over the past couple of seasons.
It appears that Alexander’s rapport with the team’s top brass has soured, with Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst openly voicing his disappointment with the star cornerback’s unavailability due to injuries.
“I know it’s been really, really frustrating for not only him as a player but us as a club,” Gutekunst said.
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“When you have a player who’s done what he’s done for us in the past, and then not being able to get him out on the field consistently, that’s tough,” He added: “You know it’s tough on the player, tough on the organization.”
Despite these candid comments, Gutekunst didn’t entirely dismiss the possibility of retaining Alexander, acknowledging him as a “pretty good player” when he is available. However, Alexander’s injury record remains a significant concern, having missed 34 out of his last 68 games due to shoulder, knee, and groin issues.
The previously suspended cornerback suffered a major blow late last season when he was put on injured reserve ahead of Green Bay’s final match. He later revealed that he had undergone knee surgery to mend a torn PCL, effectively ending his 2024 campaign.
Alexander remained tight-lipped during the team’s locker clean-out day, simply stating, “I have nothing good to say.” When probed about his future with the team, he responded, “I don’t know if I’ll be back.”
Despite limited playtime, Alexander continued to be one of Green Bay’s top defensive assets. His season stats included 15 tackles, seven pass deflections [second on the team], two interceptions [tied for second], and 52 return yards [second on the team].
He also scored the team’s only defensive touchdown, intercepting Will Levis in the first quarter of a 30-14 victory over the Tennessee Titans. The Packers now face a potentially franchise-altering decision regarding Alexander’s future.
With two years remaining on his four-year, £66.6million ($84m) contract extension, Green Bay could opt to release him before June 1, freeing up £5.3m ($6.8m) in cap space for 2025.
Releasing Alexander as a post-June 1st cut could potentially save more than £13.4m ($17m). The Packers’ secondary is already experiencing changes, having recently acquired All-Pro safety Xavier McKinney, which contributed to the unit’s rise to 16th in the league last season.
However, without Alexander, Green Bay would have to depend on a relatively inexperienced group of cornerbacks, including Carrington Valentine, Corey Ballentine, and rookie Kamal Hadden.
Releasing Alexander as a post-June 1st cut could potentially save more than £13.4m ($17m). The Packers’ secondary is already experiencing changes, having recently acquired All-Pro safety Xavier McKinney, which contributed to the unit’s rise to 16th in the league last season.
However, without Alexander, Green Bay would have to depend on a relatively inexperienced group of cornerbacks, including Carrington Valentine, Corey Ballentine, and rookie Kamal Hadden.
