The Green Bay Packers have already seen their cornerback room lose its depth over the course of this NFL offseason. Former first round pick Eric Stokes, who spent about half of his tenure in Green Bay injured, did not have his fifth-year option picked up by the Packers following his third season. As many expected, he was allowed to walk after 2024 concluded and has since signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Additionally, Green Bay saw valuable special teams contributors Corey Ballentine and Robert Rochelle depart in free agency. Ballentine signed with the Indianapolis Colts while Rochelle has joined the Kansas City Chiefs.
All the while, Packers fans have been waiting for the shoe to drop in regard to two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander, who seems to be on his way out the door too.
The Green Bay Packers and Jaire Alexander Appear to Be Headed Towards a Divorce
There is no question in anyone’s mind that a healthy Jaire Alexander is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, and has an argument for being the very best. The problem, of course, is that he has rarely been healthy.
Last season, Alexander appeared to be on pace for the best season of his career. He had two interceptions in their first three games, including his first career pick six.
But after those first three games, he missed two with a groin injury. And after coming back and playing well for three more contests, he severely injured his knee.
Alexander missed one more game and then got the bye week to get his knee healthy, but took himself out of Green Bay’s initial meeting against the Chicago Bears after just ten plays. It was later revealed that he had suffered a torn PCL.
As fans are all too aware, he did not play again. Instead, after the Packers were eliminated from the NFL Playoffs, he told reporters that he had nothing good to say and that he did not know if he would be back next year. Of course, these comments followed weeks of an obviously frustrated Matt LaFleur trying to politely answer questions regarding his star cornerback’s availability.
Jaire Alexander Is as Good as Gone
Alexander appeared in just seven games in 2024, a season after playing just seven games due to a plethora of injuries and a suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. While he played a full year in 2022 and made the Pro Bowl, he played just four games in 2021.
So, over the last two seasons, Alexander has played in 14 out of a possible 34 regular season games. Over the past four seasons, he has played 34 of a possible 68.
Chris Schad of Dairyland Express believes that this lack of availability, as well as the two sides seemingly unable to make amends, will lead to Alexander being off the team by the time the Packers are on the clock in the NFL Draft:
“With no guaranteed money left on the deal, the Packers could wait to find a trade partner or release him if a move isn’t possible. But Gutekunst also told reporters that he would like to find a resolution to the situation by the NFL Draft, which means that Alexander could be on his way out of town by the time the Packers are on the clock.”
If this is indeed the case, it would not be surprising to see Green Bay select a cornerback early, perhaps even in the first round. Alexander, of course, was a first round pick himself as the first player Brian Gutekunst drafted as general manager of the Packers.
