The Green Bay Packers opted to release oft-injured cornerback Jaire Alexander after failing to agree to either a pay cut or an extension with the 28-year-old.
Alexander, a first-round pick, was once regarded as one of the best defensive players in the league. Outside of earning a one-game suspension for “conduct detrimental to the team” after illegally entering a coin-toss circle in 2023, he was widely praised by his teammates.
During an April appearance on the ‘Up & Adams’ show, Packers quarterback Jordan Love hailed Alexander as a key cog and campaigned for the team’s management to bring him back for the 2025 NFL Season. I’m going to let him handle his own business and see what’s going on. But that’s my guy right there,” Love admitted.
“He’s definitely a player we need back. Just the play style he plays with, who he is on the field. I mean, that’s a guy we need to have around. So, we’ll see what happens.”
Alexander was slated to earn $17.5 million in base salary this season as he winds down a four-year, $84 million extension he signed back in 2022.
He was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time Second-team All-Pro nod across his seven seasons in Green Bay, tallying 12 interceptions in 78 games played.
He was limited to just four contests in 2021 and then seven each of the last two seasons. In his absence, the Packers found hidden gems like Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, and others to fill his shoes. In limited snaps, Alexander still impressed with a 75.2 PFF grade last year, good for 25th out of 222nd qualified cornerbacks.
Without Alexander, Green Bay will likely start free-agent signing Nate Hobbs from the Las Vegas Raiders across from Nixon, with 2024 breakout rookie Javon Bullard lining up in the slot.
“In his seven seasons with the Packers, Jaire established himself as one of the premier players in the NFL at one of the game’s most challenging positions,” team general manager Brian Gutekunst said in a statement on Monday.
“His contributions to our organization were felt on the field, in the locker room, and in our community, and he will be missed. We appreciate all he gave and we wish him all the best moving forward.”
The Packers are set to open the 2025 NFL season with a key road divisional matchup against the 2025 NFC North champion Detroit Lions.
