The Jaire Alexander situation is confusing. It has felt inevitable for months that he is destined to find a new team this offseason, yet here we are, comfortably into the new league year, and the Green Bay Packers have done nothing.
While the Packers added to the secondary by signing Nate Hobbs, it doesn't provide many clues about Alexander's status. Green Bay needed to add a corner regardless of whether he returned.
On Wednesday, ESPN's Rob Demovsky reported that there had been "no movement" from the Packers with Alexander. No imminent release. Almost certainly no trade.
So, now what?
Alexander's departure still feels inevitable, but Hobbs' recent comments have offered Packers fans a glimmer of hope that their All-Pro cornerback could stick around.
Packers fans have hope as Nate Hobbs reveals Jaire Alexander reached out to him after he signed
The Athletic's Matt Schneidman spoke to Hobbs shortly after he signed with the Packers in free agency. It's a fascinating interview, with Hobbs speaking about his appreciation for assistant head coach Rich Bisaccia and the chance to reunite with Josh Jacobs.
One particular line stood out. Schneidman asked Hobbs which Packers players had reached out to him.
"Yeah, X (Xavier McKinney) reached out to me, Rashan Gary, Jaire Alexander actually congratulated me, and yeah, those guys so far," said Hobbs.
Alexander? That's interesting, and it doesn't sound like the move a player would make if they were checked out and had one foot out the door. Although his future with the team is unclear, Alexander still reached out to a signing he will likely never play with.
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Naturally, Packers fans have taken it calmly. And when I say calmly, I mean many believe Alexander is 100 percent staying.
The reality is that Alexander likely will leave this offseason. Green Bay may hold out hope for a trade and release him at a later date if nothing comes of it, but what if the two sides could figure things out? A secondary featuring Alexander, Hobbs, and Keisean Nixon at cornerback and Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams at safety? That works. And that's before we mention Carrington Valentine and Javon Bullard.
Stranger things have happened. Alexander still has two years left on his deal. The Packers likely won't want him back on his current cap number and Alexander may prefer a fresh start elsewhere, but Hobbs' comments have offered just a little bit of hope that the All-Pro may remain in Green Bay.