Green Bay Packers Face the Challenge of Playing Without Jaire Alexander

The Green Bay Packers are facing a significant challenge as they head into the latter stages of the 2024 season: they will be without their top cornerback, Jaire Alexander, for the remainder of the regular season. While the possibility remains that he could return in time for the Super Bowl, should the Packers make it that far, the team must now find a way to contend without one of their most important defensive players.

As the second-highest-paid player on the roster, Alexander’s absence is a blow to the Packers’ defense. However, adding external pieces at this point in the season is nearly impossible, meaning head coach Matt LaFleur and defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley must rely on internal adjustments. But this doesn’t necessarily mean they need to look exclusively at the cornerback position to fill the void.

A Strong Defensive Performance Without Alexander

The Packers’ defense has already begun adapting to Alexander’s absence. Since his last snaps in Week 11 against the Chicago Bears, the team’s defensive performance has been stellar. From Week 12 onward, they have ranked second in EPA (Expected Points Added) per play and ninth in success rate. Even in dropback EPA, where one might expect a drop-off, the team still sits in second place, highlighting how well the defense has adapted.

“It’s not just the secondary,” Hafley explained. “We’ve done it as a team, we’ve done it as a defense. When we’re defending the pass, it’s not just about the DBs. It’s about what we do as a defense to make sure we’re playing well back there.”

This collective approach has been key to the Packers’ continued success on defense without their top cornerback. Rather than putting all the pressure on the secondary, the team has been working together to find success, and it has paid off.

Defensive Adaptability Under Hafley’s Leadership

Defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s coaching philosophy has been integral to the Packers’ ability to adjust without Alexander. Hafley, known for his single-high-centric defensive schemes, has demonstrated impressive adaptability. In 2024, the Packers lead the NFL in Cover 2 usage, which is a clear sign of Hafley’s ability to adjust his strategy to match the strengths of his personnel.

Hafley highlighted the importance of the team’s defensive versatility, saying, “We’re rushing well, we’re sending pressure, we’re running good games, we’re dropping into different zones. We’re taking a lot of pride in how we disguise things right now. The players are taking a lot of pride in that too.” This adaptability has allowed the Packers to continue playing at a high level even without their star cornerback.

The Safety Room: A Vital Role in the Defense

Without Jaire Alexander, the safety position becomes even more critical for the Packers’ defense. Alexander ranks second among the team’s cornerbacks in passer rating allowed, trailing only Carrington Valentine, and typically faces the toughest assignments. With Alexander out, Javon Bullard is expected to start at nickel, while Keisean Nixon moves to the boundary.

However, the Packers’ safety depth has been tested, as Evan Williams is also sidelined. Williams and Xavier McKinney, the starting safety duo, have allowed a lower passer rating when targeted than the cornerbacks, making them crucial to the defense’s success. With Williams and Nixon out, Bullard has had to shift to deep safety, which has proven challenging for the defense.

If Williams returns for the playoffs, as head coach Matt LaFleur expects, the Packers can field a defense with improved results. A potential alignment could see Carrington Valentine and Eric Stokes playing as outside cornerbacks, with Nixon in the slot. Another option is to have Valentine and Nixon on the boundary, with Bullard covering the slot. In Hafley’s scheme, having McKinney and Williams in the backend is essential to ensure the cornerbacks are well-protected.

Passer Rating Allowed by Packers Defensive Backs

• Xavier McKinney: 58.1
• Evan Williams: 69.7
• Carrington Valentine: 77.9
• Jaire Alexander: 79.9
• Eric Stokes: 96.3
• Keisean Nixon: 100.9
• Javon Bullard: 123.4

Upfront Pressure: Key to Defensive Success

A vital part of protecting the cornerbacks and overall defensive stability is the pressure applied upfront. In the Packers’ recent game against the Minnesota Vikings, the edge rushers struggled to generate consistent pressure. Rashan Gary recorded only two pressures, while Kingsley Enagbare and Lukas Van Ness failed to register any.

Fortunately, the Packers’ depth on the defensive line came through. Brenton Cox led the team with four pressures, and Aaron Mosby contributed two more later in the game. These contributions from the bottom of the depth chart demonstrate the importance of the entire defensive unit stepping up in Alexander’s absence.

“It’s fun to be around this group,” Hafley remarked. “They work hard, they are hungry, they get along together. And it’s not like the backups are just sitting there, no, they’re getting ready to play. We’re going to need that, we’ve got a lot of football left. We need all those guys and we need to make them feel part of that too.”

The Road Ahead Without Jaire Alexander

While it’s undeniably difficult to replace a player of Jaire Alexander’s caliber, the Packers are far from out of options. As long as the secondary remains healthy and Hafley can continue to scheme effectively, there’s still hope for the defense. The path to success without Alexander is certainly harder, especially against playoff-caliber teams, but with the right adjustments, it is far from impossible.

The Packers’ defense has proven its resilience in the face of adversity, and as they continue to adapt, they remain a formidable force—one that could still make a deep playoff run even without their star cornerback.