Why Green Bay Packers must extend Jaire Alexander
As we have learned from the Davante Adams saga, it is important for teams to lock up their best players to new deals before they leave their future up to chance. Jaire Alexander is not only one of the best players on the Green Bay Packers, he is one of the best players in the National Football League.
It is common sense — Green Bay has to get an extension done with its star cornerback as soon as possible.
Of course, Alexander deserving an extension goes without saying. But let’s revisit why Green Bay should and hopefully will lock him up long-term.
Alexander is an All-Pro and Pro Bowl cornerback. Despite having an injury-plagued 2021 season, Alexander has been extremely consistent and stout throughout his young career. He has a total of 44 career pass break-ups. He was rated the No. 1 outside CB by Pro Football Focus in 2020.
Keep in mind, some of the best cornerbacks don’t always have a massive sample size because offenses avoid throwing the ball their way. Think about prime-Richard Sherman in Seattle. Alexander belongs in the group of CBs that includes Jalen Ramsey, Tre’Davious White, Xavien Howard, and Stephon Gilmore.
Alexander is last among those names in interceptions but is near the top of the league among CBs in total tackles since 2018 with 186. The former Louisville Cardinal has demonstrated his elite ability to cover both the slot and the boundary. His 4.3 speed gives him the luxury of not panicking when an opposing receiver beats him at first. He is one of the premier cornerbacks in the NFL.
There have been some great defensive backs that have come through Green Bay, WI: Charles Woodson, LeRoy Butler, Willie Wood, Herb Adderley, Bobby Dillion.
In recent history, fan-favorites like Al Harris, Nick Collins, Tramon Williams, and Sam Shields all played at a high level for the Packers in their time. Alexander has already inserted himself somewhere in between each of those players, and he only just turned 25.
It’s not a coincidence that in the only game that Alexander, standout Rasul Douglas, and talented rookie Eric Stokes played together, the opposing offense didn’t score a single offensive touchdown (divisional round loss to San Francisco 49ers).
Alexander is entering the final year of his rookie deal. It is time for the Packers to pay their shutdown cornerback. He is a cornerstone piece of the franchise. He is an integral part of Joe Barry’s defense along with Kenny Clark, Rashan Gary, De’Vondre Campbell, and a pair of talented safeties in Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage.
The Green Bay Packers need to keep Jaire Alexander in that defensive backfield for years to come.