Jaire Alexander, Packers defense have a bright future ahead

The Green Bay Packers have made defense a massive priority this offseason.

Because of that, they have set up their elite defense for success for the foreseeable future.

The latest defensive move that Green Bay made was signing All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander to a fresh four-year, $84 million deal that includes a defensive back-record $30 million signing bonus, according to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

This is a neat deal considering Green Bay rewarded Alexander for fighting back to play in the postseason after suffering what most would think to be a season-ending shoulder injury.

He is the best cover CB in the game. He has incredible instincts and footwork. He gives opposing receivers no breathing room at all.

The Packers now have studs at every level of Joe Barry’s defense locked in for the foreseeable future.

Along with Alexander, the Packers have the following under contract long-term: All-Pro inside linebacker De’Vondre Campbell, Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark, edge rusher Preston Smith, edge rusher Rashan Gary, cornerback Rasul Douglas, safety Darnell Savage, cornerback Eric Stokes, linebacker Quay Walker, and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt.

Hopefully, veteran safety Adrian Amos and defensive tackle Jarran Reed will be too.

This defensive core is the most talented the Packers have had since Aaron Rodgers took over at QB.

Green Bay’s 2010 unit led by franchise legends Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson, Nick Collins, A.J. Hawk, and B.J. Raji were part of the best defense in the league en route to a Super Bowl victory.

However, in the following season of 2011, they were statistically the worst defense in the league.

This defense appears to have more consistency and depth, especially after back-to-back seasons being in the top 10 in total defense.

This particular Packers team under the stewardship of GM Brian Gutekunst and head coach Matt LaFleur seems to be taking a different approach to success. They have gone defense-heavy this offseason after already having success on defense in the past few seasons.

What if they have a top-five defense this upcoming season?

The Packers might not win 13 games this season, but it is a real possibility that they will have a better overall team than they’ve had in years past that will make it past the NFC Championship Game.

Oh, they still have roughly $17 million in cap space after the Alexander deal too. This team has Arizona in its sights.