As the song by Semisonic goes, "every new beginning is some other beginning's end." The song is called "Closing Time" and that's what it was for the Packers career of Jaire Alexander. After months of speculation and the roller coaster journey of hope and then dismay and then hope again, it's official. The Packers told Jaire it was "closing time" on his Packers career. As another line in the song goes, "you don't have to go home but you can't stay here." Jaire will be looking for a new place to call home and if experience tells us anything, it probably won't be too far from Green Bay. We may very well have to watch Jaire suit up in a Vikings, Bears or Lions uniform. (I started to write "and see him six times a year," but there is no guarantee of that, is there?) And in the end, that is why Alexander is gone.
I believe most of us hoped it could get worked out, that Jaire and the Packers could come to agreement on a contract restructure with incentives for games played or snaps, let's say. But as Ted Thompson loved to say, "it takes two to tango." Does Jaire really believe he would get a contract like his current on from another team? Very unlikely.. And don't be shocked when you see the details of whatever contract he lands and you ask yourself, "why couldn't the Packers have offered that? Then ask yourself how do you know they didn't? Jaire is a prideful man - you can be sure this whole situation did not sit well with him. Perhaps refusing to come to an agreement with the Packers (assuming that's what happened) involves a bit of spite. His feelings for the Packers were likely diminished when the cold business side of the NFL reared it's ugly head. We've seen a similar scenario play out in recent history with Davante Adams. In the end, Jaire missed 20 games over the last two seasons. Something had to give. I wish it could have been worked out and he could still be with the Packers, but just not on what his current deal was. The one positive is the cap savings the Packers will get, which will come in handy with players they have looking for extensions.
Another BIG new beginning occurred today when this happened:
First practice in the Black & Gold 🙌 @AaronRodgers12 pic.twitter.com/fjG8M64EOC
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) June 10, 2025
I don't know about you but for some reason I feel better about this than seeing Rodgers in Jets green. I do not think he's "finished" and I believe he will do well there. The Steelers' offensive line will keep Rodgers cleaner and give him that extra time any quarterback will appreciate, but especially one that is 41 years old. While I don't think he will lead them to a Super Bowl, how great would it be to have a Steelers-Packers Super Bowl rematch with Rodgers leading the Steelers this time? I saw this funny line from someone who was less than enthusiastic about Rodgers finding success in Pittsburgh," Rodgers can now be responsible for preventing the Steelers from winning a Super Bowl for a second time."
Lesser New Beginnings:
Elgton Jenkins began his new role as the Packers starting center, albeit without participating in practice beyond some bike work and "coaching." Jenkins is one of those previously mentioned players looking for an extension or restructure as a reward for changing positions while facing the very real possibility the Packers cut him next year to avoid a 25M cap hit. Still, it was good to see him show up for mandatory minicamp and not be an official "hold-out."
The Packers have a new run-stopper. Cameron Young, a fourth round draft pick of the Seahawks in 2023 was signed to fill an open roster spot. He's a 6'3", 304lbs, strong and wide-bodied run stopper. He played in sixteen games for the Seahawks as a rookie but missed the majority of last season with a knee injury. Young was waived by teh Seahawks and now gets an opportunity for a new beginning with the Packers, who have a run-stopping hole to fill with the exit of TJ Slayton in free agency. Young will be battling for a potential roster spot with Packers' sixth-round pick Warren Brinson and UDFA Nazir Stackhouse. That's 946 lbs of DL beef between the three of them!
For those of you really down about the Jaire news, fear not! It's Bo to the rescue! Who's that you say? Why none other than the Packers' own Bo Melton, who was seen taking snaps at CB at yesterday's minicamp. I can't say I blame him (or the Packers depending on whose idea it was). Barring a bunch of injuries in the WR room (sorry for typing those words), there is little room for Melton on this roster. If he shows dual-role promise, they could keep him on the practice squad for a year and see where that goes. Otherwise, it's bye-bye Bo (no matter how much LaFleur says he loves him).
#Packers WR/CB Bo Melton(?)
Bo working with the DBs to start practice. 👀 pic.twitter.com/5kh0j4aMH1
— Marques Eversoll (@MarquesEversoll) June 10, 2025