Packers have a Jaire Alexander problem after loss to Eagles in Week 1

Jaire Alexander got what he wanted.

He loves the challenge of going one-on-one with the best wide receivers in the game. Hitting the griddy in front of Justin Jefferson was a vintage Jaire moment. Shadowing receivers and shutting them down is what he does best.

That's not the Alexander we saw in the Green Bay Packers' opening-game defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in Brazil.

In previous seasons, Joe Barry was reluctant to let his cornerbacks shadow receivers in man coverage, often opting for safer zone coverages. Jeff Hafley's arrival has changed that, but he may need to rethink his plans after Alexander's Week 1 performance.

AJ Brown dominates matchup with Jaire Alexander in Packers' loss to Eagles

According to Next Gen Stats, Alexander shadowed Brown on 73.9 percent of his routes. The result? Brown caught four passes for 108 yards against Alexander, including a 67-yard touchdown early in the third quarter.

Alexander redeemed himself with an interception that saved a touchdown, but even in that moment, his decision to take the ball out of the end zone cost the Packers yards.

His pick proved he is still a playmaker, but Alexander hasn't consistently posted All-Pro numbers in coverage for a while. According to Pro Football Reference, in 2023, quarterbacks completed 22 of 33 passes for 282 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in Alexander's coverage, earning a 113.4 passer rating.

It's important not to overreact to one game, and there's no shame in getting beaten by a star receiver like Brown, but the concern is that this is a continuation of last season's performances.

Alexander is a two-time All-Pro, and the Packers need him to recapture that form for this defense to function at a high level. Hafley's scheme places additional stress on the cornerbacks. Like on Brown's big touchdown catch, Alexander has less help from the players around him. In one-on-one situations, the Packers trust their cornerbacks to hold up in coverage and allow the pass rush to get home.

Green Bay's front seven had its own struggles against an outstanding Philadelphia offensive line, but Alexander's performance creates some concerns.

It's only one game, and maybe the best is yet to come. The Packers need Alexander to get back to his All-Pro best.

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