Matt LaFleur kept his cards close to his chest when discussing Jaire Alexander with the media, but he didn't hold back when speaking with ESPN's Peter Schrager.
Thankfully, Schrager passed on the message via The Pat McAfee Show.
The tide has turned on Alexander's status since the draft, with various reports indicating that the All-Pro cornerback is likely to stay in Green Bay. LaFleur's comments to Schrager provided a ton of insight, and the ESPN analyst revealed all to McAfee.
"I had a lovely dinner with Matt LaFleur during draft week in Green Bay," said Schrager. "I brought it up and I don't think he'd mind me saying this, he said, 'We're actually in a good place with Jaire.'"
"From what I gather, this thing is in a lot better place than what was being presented in the media, and that there is a place for Jaire Alexander in Green Bay," Schrager added. "When he was being listed as that No. 1 trade target, I don't think that was coming from Green Bay."
Schrager noted that Alexander and Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley have a "great relationship."
Jaire Alexander returning to Packers continues to build momentum after Matt LaFleur's comments
The draft has now long passed, and the Packers still haven't found a trade partner for Alexander. They may no longer need to. Schrager's context is important, as he played down Green Bay's desire to part ways with the All-Pro cornerback.
We've come a long way from Brian Gutekunst's cryptic messages earlier in the offseason. He gave plenty of non-answers, like this quote about Alexander's future from the NFL Combine: "We'll see. We're working through that."
The tone has changed.
If the Packers are unwilling to outright release Alexander — and who could blame them? — finding a way to get on the same page with him is the right call. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated believes the two sides could negotiate a "reduced contract that has incentives."
It makes the most sense. The Packers reduce their risk by lowering Alexander's cap number, which is important, considering the All-Pro has missed exactly 50 percent of the team's games over the past four seasons. It's not ideal for Alexander, but if a trade is off the table, this is likely a better scenario than a release.
It could work perfectly for the Packers. Adding incentives reduces their risk and increases the need for Alexander to play at an elite level. The key is staying healthy.
All signs were beginning to point toward Alexander staying in Green Bay. Schrager revealing LaFleur's honest thoughts may have sealed the deal.