In the modern NFL, availability is one of the most valuable skills a player can possess, and unfortunately, it’s not one that Jaire Alexander has been able to showcase consistently over the past two seasons. The star cornerback’s injury woes may ultimately lead to an early end to his tenure with the Green Bay Packers when the offseason arrives, despite the significant contract he signed with the team.

Alexander, one of the league’s highest-paid cornerbacks, still has two years left on the massive four-year, $84 million deal he signed before the 2022 season. However, both Alexander and the Packers have faced a challenging reality since that time: The cornerback has struggled to meet the expectations that come with such a hefty price tag. His injuries have been a major issue, and over the past two seasons, he has only managed to play in 14 total games, which is simply not enough return for such a lucrative contract.

The most recent of his injuries leaves his status for the remainder of the season uncertain, and it has raised the question of whether the Packers will part ways with him when their playoff run comes to an end. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky has speculated that Green Bay could either release Alexander or restructure his contract in the offseason. Although he refrains from saying which option is more likely, he does note that continuing with the current situation seems untenable from the team’s perspective.

This offseason may be the best opportunity for the Packers to move on from Alexander’s contract. The team has an option in the current deal that would allow them to cut him, with a dead cap hit of just over $19 million. While this isn’t an ideal situation for the Packers, it could offer considerable savings when compared to the full value of his contract, which remains a substantial financial burden.

A more palatable solution, however, might involve convincing Alexander to restructure his deal. This would likely mean adding one or two more years to the back end of his contract, but it would also provide the Packers with the opportunity to reduce his annual salary, freeing up crucial cap space. For a team that is looking to make a serious Super Bowl run in the near future, this kind of financial flexibility could prove essential.

Regardless of the path Green Bay takes, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: It’s time for the Packers to accept that Alexander is no longer their top cornerback. The team can no longer rely on him to consistently perform at an elite level, and they will need to look elsewhere to bolster their defensive backfield. Whether through free agency or the draft, addressing the cornerback position is now a priority. The Packers cannot afford to be caught off guard by another injury setback for Alexander, and they must begin planning for a future without him as the cornerstone of their defense.

As the offseason approaches, the Packers will have tough decisions to make regarding Alexander’s future. While his contract initially seemed like a sound investment, the reality of his injury struggles and the limited value he’s been able to provide over the past two seasons may force the team to reevaluate their commitment to him. For Alexander, the uncertainty surrounding his career with Green Bay could mark a turning point, and for the Packers, it’s a time to look ahead to a new chapter in their secondary.