The Packers Should Try to Keep Jaire Alexander
By GilMartin
According to published reports, the Green Bay Packers offered cornerback Jaire Alexander a restructured contract earlier this week. This was done in an attempt to reach an agreement with the former Pro Bowl cornerback and to keep him in Green Bay for at least the 2025 season. The Packers should try to keep Alexander. Simply put, they are a better team with him than without him.
Alexander was the very first draft pick taken by Brian Gutekunst when he took over as Packers GM. He stepped in right away and started 11 games as a rookie back in 2018. His speed and confidence helped make him a quality cover corner.
By 2020, he earned Pro Bowl honors for the first time. He had now become a shutdown corner, somebody who the Packers could count on to minimize the impact of great receivers and to discourage quarterbacks from throwing too often to his side of the field.
In 2022, he returned to the Pro Bowl after recording a career-high five interceptions. Opposing passers posted a mere 63.7 quarterback rating when throwing to receivers covered by Alexander according to pro-football-reference.com. Unfortunately, it’s been tough going for Alexander since then.
In both 2023 and 2024, injuries limited the former Louisville star to just seven games per season. However, when he was able to play, he still played at a high level.
Despite Alexander’s absence last season, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley was still able to put together a quality defensive backfield. He had to play more cover-two defenses and be a bit more conservative, but the Packers still ranked 13th in the league in passing yards allowed per game. This looks even better when you consider the Pack won 11 games, so teams were often forced to throw when they fell behind.
After the Packers lost to the Eagles in the playoffs in January, Alexander indicated he may not be back in Green Bay next season. Rumors started to spread about a possible split between the team and their top cornerback. But free agency and the draft came and went, and the Packers were unable to find a trade partner willing to offer them enough to acquire Alexander.
The Packers surprised a few people when they did not select a cornerback in the draft until the seventh round. They added Micah Robinson out of Tulane with the 237th overall pick.
Gutekunst did make a move to bolster the secondary during the offseason, adding free agent cornerback Nate Hobbs. While the former Raiders slot corner is a starting caliber player, he is not an elite cover corner. Neither are the team’s returning players at the position in Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine. That’s not to say they can’t be quality starters, but neither are considered Pro Bowl-caliber players right now like Alexander is.
Because it appears the market for Alexander isn’t great, the player is better off restructuring his contract than being cut and signing for less with another team. Alexander can probably collect nearly all the money due him under his present deal IF he plays nearly all of the Packers games in 2025. It would also give him a chance to prove he can stay healthy and play at an elite level. This would allow him to test the open market next offseason if he and the Packers eventually decide to part ways.
For the Packers, keeping Alexander also makes sense. A restructured deal would give the Packers an immediate talent boost at cornerback and could allow Hafley to play different types of coverage more frequently or even be more aggressive with some of his blitz packages.
The risk would be low. The Packers are not cap strapped right now and can afford to keep Alexander on the payroll in 2025. The restructured deal should lower his initial cap hit as well.
Overall, this can be a win-win for player and coach. The Packers are certainly a better team on paper with Jaire Alexander in the lineup. The big question now is whether he can stay on the field and contribute.
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Comments (39)
LambeauPlain
May 29, 2025 at 10:22 am
I also read this week that Hafley and Alexander have developed a solid relationship. Perhaps he has helped nudge Alexander to look at a revised, incentivized K that will still pay him as long as he plays...and if he has a good season his value will only increase.
His best option for 2025 and his career is to play for the Packers.
But it will come with risks. If he gets injured, will he be all surly and stuff? Money and "top paid" status seems his major motivators for the job.
Ihappydirt
May 30, 2025 at 03:02 pm
Low risk. If he gets injured and surly, then you cut him. And the cap hit would be much lower since he didn't reach incentives.
Leatherhead
May 30, 2025 at 03:14 pm
I'm not sure that his best option for 2025 is playing for the Packers, because in order for that to happen, he's going to have to agree to an incentives contract .
He could sign an incentives contract with anybody. Anybody.
Also, if a guy knows that an injury could cost him $10M in incentive bonuses, you have to wonder how aggressive he's willing to be in making tackles.
As an alternative, you could sign release Alexander and replace him with a FA like Rasul Douglas or Assante Samuel and save money in the process.
IMO, the Packers best option is to release this guy, save the money, get him off the books for 2026, and move on.
LeotisHarris
May 29, 2025 at 10:23 am
What time does the Department of Redundancy Department meet today?
Alberta_Packer
May 29, 2025 at 11:26 am
Not quite redundant.
The great majority of the media - especially from the "professionals" - has focused on the non-return of JA - without providing much in the way of a comprehensive projection and analysis. Releasing instead only superficial reaction(s). This is one of the few articles that has been 'pro-return' - with reasoning - which has been long overdue.
TKWorldWide
May 29, 2025 at 01:45 pm
According to my sources, they meet at 4:00.
And then again at 4:00.
PeteK
May 29, 2025 at 10:27 am
The Pack's worse rating on O and D was their pass defense, so yes they need Alexander. They have some depth and could manage his snaps to keep him healthy.
Leatherhead
May 29, 2025 at 12:52 pm
If we manage his snaps, shouldn't that be reflected in his salary?
I don't believe Alexander will agree to any deal that involves him getting less money. I don't believe the Packers will allow him to participate in the OTAs with his current contract.
This is going to be resolved shortly. My prediction is that he's finished here.
Ihappydirt
May 30, 2025 at 03:05 pm
I believe JA may very well agree to a contingency contract where he gets all his money if he's healthy, but less if injured. As pointed out in the article, it's his best chance to get more this year and sets him up much better for the future.
TarynsEyes
May 29, 2025 at 11:04 am
"The Packers are certainly a better team on paper with Jaire Alexander in the lineup. The big question now is whether he can stay on the field and contribute".
What's the over/under number of games that the paper version will need to come true. I'm going with 9.
The schedule is hard enough to find 10 wins with the paper version of him in every game, what's it going to be when he misses 6–9 games, which, without any statistical validation, seems to become more of a habit with the oft injured money demanders.
I don't believe Alexander is a season changer for this team, unless to undermine whatever is the reality hope of it.
Alberta_Packer
May 29, 2025 at 12:21 pm
It would be illogical to predict that JA will be available to play in all of the games. Likewise for Hobbs who has only been available for one full season - during his 4 year career. However I think that the Packers would be satisfied in having at least one of them available on game days.
crayzpackfan
May 29, 2025 at 01:48 pm
Not one team came forward and traded for him with his current salary and injury history. Not one. That says a lot to me. Why should GB place such a high value on a player who doesn't play and pay him top dollar when 31 other teams wanted nothing to do with him? Why should us Packer fans give him so much grace, like he's a god or something when we have the same data as the other 31 teams? Nostalgia is a hell of thing I guess.
T7Steve
May 29, 2025 at 02:07 pm
The other teams will have something to do with him after the June cut date. That's why they're waiting. MONEY!
GregC
May 29, 2025 at 02:19 pm
He is not worth that much, but if the Packers cut him they will still have to take a salary cap hit while getting nothing in return, plus he could sign with a rival for a lower salary and play against the Packers if he stays healthy. The Packers may not want to take that risk. I'm on the fence about it. I was hoping they would find a trade partner.
TarynsEyes
May 29, 2025 at 02:37 pm
"However, I think that the Packers would be satisfied in having at least one of them available on game days".
I hope that isn't the case, as it seems the Packers already are too easily satisfied/content with what they shouldn't be.
Leatherhead
May 29, 2025 at 12:53 pm
OMG Taryn. We agree.
TarynsEyes
May 29, 2025 at 02:42 pm
We'd agree more often, if one of us would just give in. I'm open to your surrender. LOL
TKWorldWide
May 29, 2025 at 05:02 pm
LOL as well!
Leatherhead
May 29, 2025 at 05:07 pm
I could give in more often but then we'd both be wrong.
TarynsEyes
May 29, 2025 at 06:20 pm
A short peace during the long war of opposing opinions.
WestCoastPackerBacker
May 29, 2025 at 04:58 pm
What is an “oft-injured money demander”? Green Bay paid him like a top cornerback when he signed his new deal, which is exactly what he was. Injuries happen in football and they are no more of the fault of the player than they are of the team. Unless the player fails to take care of his body, injuries are just part of the game. These guys put their body on the line more than we’ll ever experience in our lives and get paid very well for it. I see no reason why they should not want to keep their guaranteed money because they were not the cause of them not being on the field. I think it’s a reasonable thing to renegotiate a contract when a player struggles with injuries, but the way some fans seem to place the fault on the player is something I will never understand.
TarynsEyes
May 29, 2025 at 06:24 pm
"What is an “oft-injured money demander”? Green Bay paid him like a top cornerback when he signed his new deal, which is exactly what he was".
Yes, and now he is often injured and wants more money, which is the definition you seek.
He has his guaranteed money from that contract. It isn't being taken away.
Major Snafu
May 29, 2025 at 11:09 am
I'd kick that bum to the curb. Hey if you can get a case of Lineys, take it.
IMO he is a miserable excuse for a football player. He's out there jiving it up while missing tackles, letting receivers run buy him and he avoids contact at all costs.
fact is they tried to peddle the guy pre draft for picks and no one bit. Other GM's have his tape and arent impressed. Not to mention his hospital record and missed games history.
Just cut him. Were better off without him.
LLCHESTY
May 29, 2025 at 11:14 am
Cut him so your Vikings can pick him up? No thank you.
Leatherhead
May 29, 2025 at 12:49 pm
I would be happy to see Minnesota pick him up, throw a bunch of money at him, and then complain that he was injured and wasn't playing.
Just like I was happy when they picked Favre up. I knew it was inevitable that he'd throw their season away. And that's what he did.
Bitternotsour
May 29, 2025 at 04:54 pm
The Packers paid Rodgers a lot of money to fail in NFC championship games, it's only fair the Vikings did it with Favre.
splitpea1
May 29, 2025 at 11:13 am
Well, they are trying, and it's up to Alexander whether or not he wants to accept the new contract. I would strongly suspect, though obviously don't know for sure, that it's a very fair deal considering he has missed half the games over the past four seasons.
I would really like this ongoing saga (cue "The Young and the Restless" theme) to end one way or the other. While Alexander is a fine corner when he's out there, he's also becoming a bit of a pain the ass for the organization and the fans. The Packers have done everything they can within reason to accommodate his inclusion for the season and shouldn't be bending over backwards any more.
Alberta_Packer
May 29, 2025 at 11:57 am
I think that the lack of balanced reporting by the media has overly dramatized this story. Even a modicum of logical analysis would have concluded that was likely to be a long negotiation - with no resolution until the very end.
As for JA - I believe that even with his bouts of immature behaviour and occasional antics - he remains a net positive player. Especially on the field. Besides he seems to be eminently likeable. Perhaps his saving grace.
GregC
May 29, 2025 at 01:20 pm
Not sure what you mean by balanced reporting. There hasn't been much to report. The Packers made it known that they were trying to trade Alexander, but they couldn't find any takers, so the story got stuck in the off-season spin cycle. Until last week, most people assumed Alexander would probably not be with the team in 2025 because there was no word about any attempt by either side to negotiate a new contract.
Alberta_Packer
May 29, 2025 at 02:31 pm
Correct GC - there hasn't been much to report - which charcterizes this long negotiation. Still this did not stop many of the "insiders", beat reporters, talking heads etc from speculating that ' there is a 1% chance of JA returning' or a '95% chance that JA will not return' or 'I see no way that the Packers want Alexander back' etc. So pretty much all we heard these last few months was an endless stream of ill-formed opinions from mainstream media.
What was not seen or overlooked by many - from the outset - was when Gutekunst announced that “the Packers had a lot invested in Alexander.” Thus he signalled that he probably would not be amenable to a low or a no-return transaction for the player. Nor was a high return likely for JA – given his large contract and injury history. So the greatest ROI to the Packers was probably JA returning on a re-structured contract
Now JA and the Packers aren't quite there yet. However, at this juncture, I give a 90% probability that JA will be returning to the Packers on a re-structured contract.
stockholder
May 29, 2025 at 11:23 am
The bigger question with Alexander,
"is his hunger for competing".
He seems more in favor of getting the best contract.
What significantly stands out is his attitude.
Instant "Replay" has changed everything for a cb now.
And I Just don't believe he'll ever be an All-pro again.
It's enough reasonable doubt to say -
Take it or leave it.
T7Steve
May 29, 2025 at 12:36 pm
Let's see what happens and hope it turns out well for the Packers. That in turn, would be best for J.A. too.
You've all seen what can happen when it's a contract year for players. I want the Packers to reap the benefit of what they've invested in this guy.
TarynsEyes
May 29, 2025 at 03:02 pm
They've made an investment in him, and have stood by him with the injuries and rehabs that had him missing a lot of time. Perhaps the player needs to show the team he appreciates what they continue still to do, and want to do. He made a lot of money while not playing, and now he wants more before proving he can.
Would you pay top dollar for a car tire that has had two puncture holes in it because the salesman said it was as good as new?
I don't care what the agent or the tire said to me, I won't ignore that that tire will likely pop again with one of those previous punctures, and more so, depending on where they happened on the tire.
Alberta_Packer
May 29, 2025 at 03:19 pm
My analogy with JA is auto insurance coverage. Especially the rider the allows for a rental vehicle when your vehicle goes down (is unavailable). At present - the Packers and JA are just negotiating the cost for this extra coverage. Hint: like all auto insurance - it won't be cheap.
crayzpackfan
May 29, 2025 at 03:32 pm
I see it more like paying for the Sunday Ticket through a non refundable contract and then Youtube tells you that you can only watch games for half the season. No thanks.
Leatherhead
May 30, 2025 at 03:18 pm
I see it more like Lucy holding the ball for Charlie Brown. Surely, this time she won't pull it away. Surely, this time, Alexander will stay healthy and play well. Surely.
We don't need him. We've done fine without him the last two years.
TarynsEyes
May 29, 2025 at 03:38 pm
Auto insurance is mandatory, though not enforced as should be, but the 'rider' you speak to is a perk one can choose, if desired or level of need, I do not believe JA is the 'rider' that the Packers must have, but rather a desire that doesn't need to be fulfilled either.
Turophile
May 29, 2025 at 04:44 pm
It's interesting how you can pick a side.
(Jaire is gone, he's injured too often and costs too much to to be worth the gamble to keep and hope he stays healthy).
or
(Jaire should stay because he makes the CB room much stronger when he is on the field).
Neither stance is right or wrong. It's about taking a gamble either way and hoping you chose right......and you probably won't know which decision is right until well into the season.
There was a bit of groupthink going on about Jaire, where almost everyone was sure he'd be gone......and deciphering what the Packers management were saying tended to support that. But, time changes things and forces both sides to re-evaluate. Now its looking like he will stay.
Whichever way things finally go, I hope the Packers get their choice right. A re-structured contract makes the Packers less unhappy about the potential cost, if a lot of games are missed.........and Jaire probably gets a better deal with the Packers than he could get elsewhere. On the other hand, if Jaire goes - and then gets injured for a large part of 2025, the Packers would look smart for having let him go.
Make your choice, roll those two d6's..........and hope you don't get snake-eyes.
Oppy
May 30, 2025 at 03:34 pm
I think the majority of posters on this website have tragically mischaracterized who Jaire Alexander is.
I think he may be a bit of a knucklehead in the "I'm going to walk out on the field for the coin toss" sense of the word. I think he may be more concerned with his long-term health (his career) than playing injured- and I get that rubs people the wrong way.
But I would never doubt Alexander's competitiveness, his desire to compete at the highest level, his desire to win, or his love for his team mates and his team.
I don't think any of his decisions are about trying to get a bigger payday. I do think he is probably concerned about his ability to continue to play at a high level.
His team mates absolutely love him, love his character, love his competitive spirit.
The Packers need Jaire to play. Jaire needs to find a happy medium between protecting himself and sacrificing for the team. That's it, IMO. I don't think there's a character problem. I think he plays because he loves the game, not because he loves the paycheck, like some players do. I think he wants to be the best, and he absolutely wants to be the guy with the big responsibility on Sundays.
He may not be perfect, but he isn't a cancer, he's not a bad guy, he's not a blight on the team, he's not a distraction.
This guy is an absolute baller on the field. He needs to get healthy and get out there. That's it.