Jaire Alexander has found a new home. The former two-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl cornerback for the Green Bay Packers has signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens. He reunites in Baltimore with former college teammate and NFL MVP Lamar Jackson — and he will not have to wait long to see Green Bay again, as the Ravens will visit Lambeau Field in Week 17 for a highly anticipated matchup.
A lot of Packers fans were worried that Jaire Alexander might end up with a division rival out of spite. After all, it is pretty usual for former Green Bay players to join NFC North teams — look at Brett Favre, Aaron Jones, Greg Jennings, and others. It is a relief that Alexander went to an AFC team. Not only does that mean he will not be helping a division rival, but it also means he won’t be standing in the Packers’ way if they make a Super Bowl run.
There are no hard feelings between Packers fans and Jaire Alexander. While injuries limited his time on the field over the past few seasons, many still appreciate his contributions during his seven years in Green Bay. Fans and analysts have since weighed in on Alexander’s signing with Baltimore and what it might mean for the Packers moving forward.
Former Green Bay Packers CB Jaire Alexander (23) signs autographs for fans during 2023 training camp
Former Green Bay Packers CB Jaire Alexander (23) signs autographs for fans during 2023 training camp
© Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin / USA TODAY NETWORK
"I don't know if Jaire would've accepted this same offer from the Packers," AtoZSports Wendell Ferreira wrote.
"But if he would've, the Packers should've kept him."
According to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, the Packers offered Alexander a revised deal, but both sides could not agree on terms. While the details of the pay cut talks are not known, Alexander’s salary drops from $17.5 million to $4 million plus incentives with the Ravens.
The Leap’s Peter Bukowski highlighted a quote from Jaire Alexander’s father, Landis Alexander, who said his son was "not willing to play for damn free."
"The ‘he wasn’t willing to play for damn near free’ quote sounds different now that he’s playing for damn near free, don’t you think?" Bukowski wrote.
CheeseheadTV’s Aaron Nagler summed up the whole situation with just six simple words:
"The NFL is a relationship business," he wrote.
Fans and analysts can debate the Jaire Alexander saga endlessly. However, only two parties truly understand every detail of the contract negotiations between Green Bay and Alexander: the Packers and his representatives. Ultimately, everyone else can only observe and await how this chapter will shape the future for both sides.