The clouds of uncertainty facing Jaire Alexander's future are finally clearing. Mending fences with the Green Bay Packers has gone from impossible to inevitable, and teammate Xavier McKinney has attempted to push Alexander's return over the goal line.
Speaking at Packers OTAs, McKinney made it clear where he stands on Alexander's future.
"We would all like him back," said McKinney. "I talk to him every day, pretty much. Just try to stay connected with him. Obviously, we've developed a great relationship with each other, but my thing that I always try to talk about is: that's his own situation, and I want the best for him."
McKinney said he wants what's best for Alexander, regardless of whether he is playing in Green Bay or elsewhere. But McKinney made his point clear. He wants Alexander back.
So do the Packers. Matt Schneidman of The Athletic reported this week that the team has offered him a restructured contract. It's unclear if Alexander will accept the terms, but Schneidman notes that the All-Pro cornerback plans to return in time for minicamp, regardless.
Xavier McKinney may get his wish with Jaire Alexander's Packers return inching closer
What a bizarre offseason it has been for the Packers. So much unnecessary drama. Beyond the Alexander uncertainty, which finally looks close to a resolution, there's Elgton Jenkins' holdout from OTAs, Jayden Reed's agent wanting clarification over his role on the team, and Matt LaFleur seemingly gaining a new enemy in Ben Johnson.
But McKinney may get his wish.
At one stage, an Alexander departure felt inevitable, even if that meant Green Bay outright releasing him. Thankfully, both sides have at least pushed closer to a return.
The Packers have Super Bowl aspirations, and pairing an All-Pro safety with an All-Pro cornerback is one way to increase the chances of living out that dream. Alexander needs to stay healthy after missing double-digit games in back-to-back seasons, but there's no denying he is still one of the best cornerbacks in the league.
McKinney wants him back. We all want him back. At last, it sounds like Alexander and the Packers are on the same page, too.
Hopefully, McKinney's plea will help push a resolution past the finish line.