To trade, or not to trade; to release, or not to release. Those are seemingly the questions the Green Bay Packers have been asking about Jaire Alexander all offseason. At the start of the offseason, it seemed like a certainty that the veteran corner had played his final snap in Green Bay. However, the Packers are now in OTAs, and Alexander is still on the roster.
For whatever reason, the team hasn’t found a trade partner, and the franchise has been unwilling to straight up release the two-time Pro Bowler. Now that June 1 is approaching, a major decision could be coming from Green Bay in the coming days. June 1 is always a major day on the NFL calendar because most contracts are set up for players to be moved easily (less expensive) after that day.
Cody Benjamin detailed that in a recent CBS Sports piece, and even made predictions on what will happen with veterans with uncertain futures. For Alexander, the prediction was that he remains in Green Bay on a restructured deal.
"All offseason, the Green Bay Packers have publicly anticipated a breakup with Alexander, who's simultaneously been one of the NFL's best -- and most injured -- cover men. Both sides hinted at a split in free agency, either via trade or release. Now the Packers apparently have a new contract offer on the table, but if the Pro Bowler doesn't bite at a pay cut, Green Bay could save $17 million by cutting or trading the cornerback after June 1. That's an increase of $9.5 million from prior to June 1."Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports)
Jaire Alexander predicted to remain with Packers on restructured deal
Benjamin spoke on the recently reported offer that Green Bay extended to Alexander to keep him on the team. However, the analyst also acknowledged the $17 million the team would save if they moved the veteran corner after June 1. Benjamin even named the Washington Commanders, Atlanta Falcons, Las Vegas Raiders, and Minnesota Vikings as potential landing spots, before ultimately predicting that the two-time All-Pro remains in Green Bay.
It would be wild if Alexander is suiting up for the Packers after everything that was said this offseason, but crazier things have happened in the NFL—wilder things have happened in the league in this offseason alone. Green Bay and Jaire Alexander getting back on good terms could soon join the list.
It would make a ton of sense for the Packers to reverse course and keep Alexander, because he’s still playing at an elite level when he’s on the field, and the team absolutely needs him in the secondary. Even with the expectation that he wouldn’t be back, Green Bay didn’t do much to address its secondary, so the cornerback room would be a big question mark if Alexander is eventually let go. However, that no longer seems like the most likely outcome.