Packers will exercise Jaire Alexander’s fifth-year option soon

In an otherwise challenging offseason, exercising Jaire Alexander‘s fifth-year option is one of the only easy decisions for the Green Bay Packers.

Alexander is one of the best cornerbacks in the league and still only 24 years old, the Packers need to ensure he’s in Green Bay for as long as possible.

Speaking to the media in his pre-draft conference call on Monday afternoon, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said that while the team is yet to exercise Alexander’s fifth-year option, it will happen in the near future.

“We haven’t, but I certainly would expect us to do so,” Gutekunst said when asked if the team had exercised Alexander’s fifth-year option yet.

No surprise there. And Gutekunst couldn’t have put it much simpler and more honestly. No ifs or buts. He expects it to happen which means it almost certainly will.

And it’s absolutely the right call.

Similar to Kenny Clark a couple of years ago, the Packers can exercise the fifth-year option to ensure it’s an additional year before Alexander becomes a free agent. At some point in the next year or so, the Packers will need to work out a new contract with Alexander. But the fifth-year option gives them extra time.

Alexander has been excellent in all three of his seasons in the league and improved in each. After making the PFWA All-Rookie Team in 2018, he became an All-Pro and Pro Bowler for the first time in 2020.

Alexander went from a young star with a lot of potential to one of the very best at his position last season. And with many years ahead of him, the Packers need to ensure Alexander is part of this secondary for a long time to come.

Exercising his fifth-year option then working out a long-term contract extension is the way to go.