The Green Bay Packers are considering all options regarding two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander, including a trade, an outright release, or maybe even him returning to the team in 2025, according to sources that spoke to ESPN. The Packers were previously interested in trading the two-time Second-Team All-Pro after multiple different sources within the team “expressed their frustration with Alexander’s inability to stay healthy and/or play through injuries.”
“We’ll work through that as we go,” explained Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst while discussing Alexander’s future with the organization. “But no updates there, and he is on our roster right now, and that’s how we’ll proceed. But we’ll figure that as we go along.”
According to a source, the Packers and Jaire Alexander continue to talk about a possible resolution, which could include a reconciliation to where Alexander plays for the Packers in 2025 after all.
All options are still on the table: release, trade or return.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) April 29, 2025
“No, I’m just saying nothing’s changed,” he continued. “No updates. We’ll proceed as we go for right now, and we’ll see how it goes.”
An All-Pro in 2020 and 2022, Alexander has only played in 14 games over the last two seasons. After making his last start of the campaign on November 17th, 2024, Alexander underwent knee surgery on January 1st to repair what he said was a torn PCL.
Despite missing ten games, he finished last season tied for second on the team in interceptions (two) and pass breakups (seven).
The Packers can’t afford to lose Alexander
The last time I wrote about this subject in February, I said that it was inevitable that Jaire Alexander would leave the Green Bay Packers. Now, though, I’m not so sure if he will leave. And, if we’re being honest, Green Bay would be screwing itself if it released or traded away Alexander.
As things currently stand, the Packers have eight cornerbacks on their roster. Amongst the other seven corners in Green Bay, four of them didn’t play enough snaps last season to even register a grade on Pro Football Focus. They added Nate Hobbs in free agency, but he was PFF’s 103rd-ranked coverage corner last season. Number-two cornerback Keisean Nixon was even worse (115th out of 222). Carrington Valentine is the only other trustworthy cornerback the Packers have, but he is a major liability when it comes to defending the run (180th out of 222).
Undoubtedly, Jaire Alexander is the best player in the group. He was Pro Football Focus’ 25th-ranked cornerback last season. Meanwhile, he had the 16th-best coverage grade amongst 222 eligible cornerbacks. Even if he misses multiple games, he’s still an elite pass defender and the best cornerback on Green Bay’s roster.
Brian Gutekunst says no updates on Jaire.
“He is on our roster and that’s how we’ll proceed.”
Later clarified “that’s how we’ll proceed” doesn’t mean Jaire is staying on the team for next season. They’re still working through things.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) April 26, 2025
I had hoped that the Packers would’ve used one of their eight draft picks on a cornerback. Though they did do just that, the corner they selected was a seventh-rounder from Tulane. That doesn’t necessarily scream “future shutdown cornerback.”
Of the 17 interceptions that Green Bay forced last season, eight of them came in the seven games that Jaire Alexander started. It’s also worth noting that he recorded an interception against the eventual Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts during Week One.
It would be incredibly stupid for the Packers to trade or release Jaire Alexander. Even if they have a contingency plan in place, it is never a wise move to let go of a former All-Pro cornerback. Jaire Alexander may not be on the team in 2026, but it would be foolish if he weren’t on the team this coming season.
