Jaire Alexander is one of the best players in recent memory to suit up for the Green Bay Packers, but he may have played his last snap with the team. While he’s still a good player when healthy, the former first-round pick has played in only a combined 14 games over the past two seasons. Now carrying a $24.9 million cap hit with no guaranteed money remaining on his contract, it’s safe to assume the Packers will cut him if the player and team cannot agree to a revised deal.
Based on comments from General Manager Brian Gutekunst (via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic), the Packers will make a decision on Jaire Alexander sooner rather than later. Gunekunst reportedly wants the situation to come to an end before the 2025 NFL Draft, and while a revised deal is possible, reading between the lines suggests it’s not particularly likely. Chances are, the Packers will release the two-time Pro Bowler and the veteran will sign a one-year, prove-it deal with one of the following teams.
REPORT: Packers Will Decide on Jaire Alexander’s Future Before NFL Draft
Possible Destinations
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers did what they could to fix a terrible defense, but there is still work to be done. Pro Bowler Jaycee Horn proved he could be a valuable part of the defense when healthy last year and Michael Jackson was one of the few bright spots on the unit last year. However, there are enough question marks around both players to justify signing Jaire Alexander after his Packers release. While the veteran comes with his own set of worries, his presence will increase the odds of Carolina having at least one or two reliable cornerbacks on the field for all 17 games.
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills locked up cornerback Christain Benford to a well-deserved four-year, $76 million contract, but they must still find another starting-caliber option at the position. Armed with just $4.45 million in cap space, the Bills could sign Jaire Alexander to an incentive-laden prove-it deal after the Packers part ways with him. While the injury concerns are legitimate, Buffalo must shoot for the moon and sign a player with All-Pro potential to finally emerge victorious in the AFC playoffs.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have a promising young core of offensive players in quarterback Michael Penix, wide receiver Drake London, and running back Bijan Robinson. However, that won’t matter with the poor defense. Atlanta added a few pieces, but the secondary still needs some work. The NFC South is one of the weaker divisions in football, and a veteran like Alexander could help this team win their first division title since Matt Ryan was an MVP-caliber quarterback.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens have a reliable cornerback duo in veteran Marlon Humphrey and 2024 first-round pick Nate Wiggins. However, you’ll need three reliable cornerbacks to make the Super Bowl when you share a division with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and a conference with Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. Last year’s Tre’Davious White trade proved this team wants more cornerback depth, and Alexander should have more in his tank than the former Bills cornerback.
Main Photo: William Glasheen – Imagn Images
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