Jaire Alexander on the Block: What the Packers Could Get in Return

The Green Bay Packers are reportedly engaging in trade talks involving cornerback Jaire Alexander, signaling a potential split after years of injury struggles. Alexander, a first-round pick in 2018 and a key figure for the Packers’ defense, signed a historic contract in 2022, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. But after being sidelined by injuries in three of the past four seasons, both Alexander and the Packers may be looking to move on.

The Injury Struggles and the Packers’ Dilemma

Alexander’s journey in Green Bay has been marked by success and setbacks. When healthy, he’s been a Pro Bowler and a second-team All-Pro in both 2020 and 2022, showcasing his elite skills at cornerback. However, injuries have plagued his career. He missed 13 games in 2021, 10 games in 2023, and 10 more in 2024, including a knee injury that cut his 2024 season short after just 10 snaps. His prolonged absence and knee surgery in December highlight the growing concern over his durability.

At 28 years old, with two years remaining on a hefty contract, Alexander’s future in Green Bay is uncertain. NFL teams frequently part ways with expensive, aging players dealing with persistent injuries, and the Packers seem poised to make this tough decision.

Impact on the Packers’ Roster

If Alexander is traded, the Packers will be left with only two cornerbacks from last season’s 53-man roster: Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine. Other cornerbacks—Eric Stokes, Robert Rochell, and Corey Ballentine—are free agents. While the Packers still have some young talent, including Kalen King and Kamal Hadden, who spent last season on the practice squad, the team will need to bolster its cornerback depth through free agency or the draft.

The Packers showed promise with Nixon and Valentine as perimeter cornerbacks towards the end of the 2024 season, and 2024 second-round pick Javon Bullard seems to have settled into a role as the slot cornerback. However, cornerback remains one of the Packers’ top needs for the upcoming season, and they will need to act quickly.

Navigating the Salary Cap

One of the most pressing issues with moving on from Alexander is his substantial salary cap hit. Alexander’s 2025 salary cap number is slated to be almost $25 million, with a base salary of over $16 million. If traded before June 1st, the Packers would incur $18.1 million in dead cap but save over $6.8 million in 2025. While this provides some financial relief, the Packers could also wait until June to release Alexander, potentially saving more than $17 million, though that would push the dead money into the 2026 cap year.

The Packers are in a favorable salary cap position, and moving on from Alexander would free up funds to pursue other free-agent targets. The team would likely not need immediate cap space, making this an opportunity for aggressive moves in the market.

What Can the Packers Expect in Return?

The trade market for Alexander, however, is complicated. While Alexander is undeniably a difference-maker when healthy, the reality is that teams are as focused on contracts as they are on talent. With over $30 million remaining in base salaries and a history of injuries, Alexander’s contract presents a significant financial risk. No guaranteed money remains on the deal, but the price tag and injury history are likely to diminish any substantial return.

It’s possible that this trade talk is part of the Packers’ strategy to inflate Alexander’s market value ahead of the NFL Combine. However, if no viable trade partner is found, a release may be the more likely outcome.

Alexander’s Legacy in Green Bay

Jaire Alexander’s time in Green Bay will ultimately be remembered as one full of “what ifs.” Before his 2021 shoulder injury, Alexander was widely regarded as one of the NFL’s best young cornerbacks. His 2020 season was exceptional, earning him All-Pro honors and making him a key part of the Packers’ defense. But injuries, particularly his recurring issues since 2021, have derailed what could have been a Hall-of-Fame-caliber career.

The Packers’ decision to sign Alexander to a record-breaking deal in 2022 showed their belief in his potential as a long-term cornerstone. However, the team has seen limited return on that investment due to his injuries. If Alexander had remained healthy, Green Bay’s defense might have been even stronger over the past few seasons. But as the Packers look to the future, it seems that the time has come to move on from the talented but injury-prone cornerback.

As the trade talks continue, the Packers will have to weigh their options carefully. The potential savings and the need for cornerback depth make a move likely, but finding a team willing to take on Alexander’s contract and risk will be key to making this transition a successful one.