Green Bay Packers fans can imagine a few destinations they would not be pleased with if former two-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander were to sign elsewhere. The most obvious rival is the Minnesota Vikings, who have a history of signing former Packers players after their time in Green Bay. Notable examples include Aaron Jones, Brett Favre, Dean Lowry, Za’Darius Smith, Robert Tonyan, and many others.
On the AFC side, the team that makes the most sense to go after Alexander is probably the Baltimore Ravens. They are a Super Bowl contender, and Lamar Jackson is good friends with him. According to Over the Cap, Baltimore has over $18.5 million in cap space, so they have the money to sign him. If that happens, Packers fans would see Alexander again in Week 17, when the Ravens come to Green Bay.
Alexander should have a strong market, and there should be no rush for him to pick a new team. Among the options out there, the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles could be a strong suitor. CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin even predicts Alexander will sign a one-year, $16 million deal with Philly.
"All offseason, Alexander and the Green Bay Packers braced for a split over the two-time second-team All-Pro cornerback's contract, which once looked reasonable but quickly became concerning as the cover man missed more and more time due to injuries," Benjamin said. "The divorce finally occurred prior to minicamp, with the Packers outright releasing the veteran to free agency.
"Joining the rival Minnesota Vikings would be spicy and smart for both sides, while the Rams and Baltimore Ravens also make sense as playoff-contending suitors. The Philadelphia Eagles are due for a splash, though, and Alexander, who just happened to be born in Philly, would give them a higher-upside rental for their title-winning secondary. Prediction: Signs one-year, $16 million deal with Philadelphia Eagles."
It would not bode well for Green Bay’s chances of making a serious Super Bowl run if Alexander ended up in Philadelphia — especially if he managed to stay healthy. Howie Roseman is known as one of the most aggressive General Managers in the league, and it is entirely plausible to imagine him pairing the two-time All-Pro with Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell in an already stacked Eagles secondary.
Green Bay and Philly went head-to-head twice last season — first in the NFL’s first-ever regular season game in Brazil, then again in the NFC Wild Card round. The Eagles won both times. They are scheduled to meet again in Week 10 on Monday Night Football, and that game has the feel of a classic. If Alexander signs with the Eagles, it adds one more layer to an already loaded storyline.
