With the 2025 NFL Draft now firmly in the rearview mirror, the countdown to the start of training camp is on.
For the Green Bay Packers, there's one last item of business to take care of before the kids bring their bikes to Ray Nitschke Field: what to do with cornerback Jaire Alexander.
Speculation on Alexander's future has run the full gamut in recent months. He's gone from being all but gone via trade or release to looking like he will return for an eighth season with the Packers. With OTAs around the corner and training camp just over two months away, decision time is fast approaching for both the team and the player.
So, what should the Packers do?
At this point, their best option is to bring Alexander back on a restructured contract.
He's 28 years old but has played in a total of 14 games the past two seasons due to injury. That's not the kind of reliability that demands the salary of a top cornerback, especially one that's nearing his 30th birthday. He's also only played a full season once in his career (although the Packers locking up home-field advantage may have impacted that in 2020).
The problem with this is Alexander has not been willing to take a pay cut, at least until recently, if rumors are to be believed. His swagger and self-confidence are two qualities that have endeared Alexander to the fans, but they don't necessarily always pay off at the negotiating table. It would appear his camp is coming to terms with that.
As for the Packers, their best bet would have been to move Alexander before or during the draft, but a trade failed to materialize. It's not clear what stopped one from happening. Did the Packers ask for too high of a draft pick? Was there even interest? Was Alexander's contract an albatross, especially since it was known he wouldn't take a pay cut?
The Green Bay Packers and Jaire Alexander should make up
We likely will never know for certain, but now Green Bay and Alexander appeared to be forced to make up with each other. While that can lead to some tension, this could also be for the benefit of both player and team.
For the Packers, teams attack the Green Bay defense differently when Alexander is on the field. He might not be the player he once was, but he's still enough that opposing offenses take notice. It's hard to replace that.
It also gives the Packers a little more depth at cornerback. Alexander, Keisean Nixon, and Nate Hobbs make a decent trio of cornerbacks. At least it's an improvement over last year's group, right? RIGHT?
For Alexander, it gives him a chance to prove he's still an elite corner and maybe earn one last big payday—even if that more than likely won't be in Green Bay. His initial resistance to taking a pay cut shows he clearly still views himself as a top cornerback in the league. This gives him the chance to prove it while not having to learn an entirely new defensive system.
All in all, is this the ideal outcome for both teams? Not really. A split would have been best with a fresh start for Alexander and the Packers getting something in return.
That said, both sides can make the best of the situation should they remain together.
With Jaire Alexander, at least it will be entertaining.