On Tuesday, Baltimore Ravens quarterback, Lamar Jackson issued to his general manager, Eric DeCosta, what amounted to about as direct a call-to-action as we see in the NFL, in the form of adding newly-released former Green Bay Packers cornerback, Jaire Alexander.
And now – almost prophetically, or just DeCosta heeding his star QB’s advice, Alexander has now signed with the Baltimore Ravens, per Adam Schefter.
Lamar Jackson Gets His Wish In Jaire Alexander
The most happy person today will no doubt be Jackson, who seemed to be set on getting his guy in the building as the Ravens look to put together another championship run as contenders.
Baltimore’s secondary always seems to be talent-filled, and now with the addition of Alexander, on what is a very reasonable one-year deal, the secondary could well turn into the league’s best come this fall.
Jackson also has a more personal, vested interest in bringing the ex-Packer to the East Coast, as the pair once lined up as teammates at the University of Louisville back in the mid to late 2010s. In fact, both were picked in the same round (the first) of the same draft class back in 2018.
How Big Of A Gamble Is Jaire Alexander?
The Packers released All-Pro corner for a reason. And that reason had nothing to do with his salary being financially untenable – the Packers have the 7th most cap space remaining for the 2025 season.
Nor did it have anything to do with the team having too many options at cornerback, with Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and new addition Nate Hobbs the only players on the roster who have played significant snaps at outside corner in the pros.
Injuries will the number one concern for the Ravens. Given his chequered, ailment-infused recent past in the league, there is a very real possibility that the ex Louisville star will spend a good amount of time on the sidelines this season.
But it seems that, for Eric DeCosta and much of the Ravens brass, for the cost of just $4 million, that is a risk they are more than happy to take.