Jaire Alexander’s Future with the Green Bay Packers: What’s Next?

In a season full of uncertainty for the Green Bay Packers, head coach Matt LaFleur recently revealed a significant update regarding one of the team’s key players. Jaire Alexander, the All-Pro cornerback, is highly unlikely to play again this season. This news leaves fans and analysts alike questioning what the future holds for the standout defensive player and how the Packers should approach their cornerback situation moving forward.

A Growing Concern: The Cornerback Position

The Packers’ struggles at cornerback may require more than a simple fix in the upcoming offseason. With Eric Stokes and Corey Ballentine both set to become free agents, Green Bay faces a potential need for a full rebuild at the position. And then there’s Alexander—despite his elite status when healthy, it’s increasingly difficult to ignore the possibility that his time in Green Bay could be coming to a close.

Over the past four seasons, Alexander has missed 34 out of 68 games—a staggering 50 percent. In fact, he has only played more than seven games in a season once during that stretch. As the Packers face another offseason of uncertainty, one question looms large: should they move on from their star cornerback, or can they rely on his return to health in 2025?

The Financial Reality: What It Would Cost the Packers to Move on from Alexander

In the event the Packers decide to part ways with Alexander, the financial implications would be significant. According to cap expert Ken Ingalls, cutting or trading Alexander in the offseason would result in a hefty cap hit in 2025. The current cap hit is projected at $25.4 million. However, if the Packers were to move on from Alexander before June 1, 2025, they could reduce that cap hit to $18.1 million, saving the team $7.3 million in the process.

While this provides some immediate relief, the long-term effects must also be taken into account. By cutting Alexander, the Packers would create the following cap space:

• 2025: $7 million
• 2026: $27.4 million
• 2027: $2.4 million

However, the Packers would face a significant dead cap hit initially. As Ingalls explains, cutting Alexander now would create more cap room in the future but at a significant short-term cost. It’s a delicate balancing act between saving money down the line and the immediate impact on the roster.

The Decision Ahead: To Keep or Let Go?

According to Andy Herman of the Pack-A-Day Podcast, the real question isn’t whether the Packers can afford to keep Alexander for $7.27 million in 2025 but whether they would consider signing him to a one-year, $17.5 million deal. Keeping Alexander for 2025 would cost an additional $17.5 million overall—an expensive option, given his injury history.

If the Packers choose to move on from their star cornerback, they would free up critical space in the salary cap, allowing them to focus on future investments, such as extensions for rising stars like Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, or Zach Tom. However, releasing Alexander means losing one of the league’s top cornerbacks—a move that would undoubtedly impact the team’s defensive strength.

The All-Pro Dilemma: When Healthy, Alexander Is Elite

Despite his injury issues, Jaire Alexander remains one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL when healthy. His ability to shut down elite wide receivers and make game-changing plays makes him a valuable asset to any defense. But as the Packers have learned all too well, “when healthy” has been the key phrase that makes Alexander’s situation so uncertain.

The decision that general manager Brian Gutekunst faces is not an easy one. The Packers must weigh the potential benefits of creating future cap space against the loss of an elite defensive player.

Looking to the Future

While it’s unclear which direction the Packers will take, one thing is certain: the financial impact of keeping or releasing Alexander will reverberate beyond the 2025 season. The Packers must carefully consider their options in the coming months, balancing the immediate needs of the team with the long-term financial health of the organization.

As we await further developments, it’s clear that Green Bay’s cornerback position will be a critical area of focus during the offseason. Whether the team keeps Alexander or moves on, the Packers’ decision could have lasting consequences for their defense and salary cap flexibility.