GREEN BAY, Wis. — A breakthrough in the impasse between Jaire Alexander and the Green Bay Packers could be on the horizon—and we mean it this time.
According to reporting from The Athletic, the Packers have issued a restructured contract offer to Alexander's representation, John Thornton of Roc Nation. While nothing has been agreed to as of yet despite Alexander's preference to remain in Green Bay, one thing has become certain—both sides foresee a future together.
It's the latest—and hopefully the last—development in the saga. At the beginning of the offseason, it appeared that Alexander was almost destined to play elsewhere in 2025. The Packers appeared adamant that they wanted to move on from the services of their former first-round pick who, once upon a time, was an All-Pro cornerback. The problem, though, is that his availability had become a massive concern. Alexander, 28, has played in just 16 games for the Packers over the last two seasons and 34 of their last 68. While durability has been an issue, there's no question that when Alexander is on the field, he's among the best at his position—those moments have just been few and far between as of late.
(Photo: USA TODAY Sports)
Contractually, Alexander's status is currently in limbo, but he does intend to report to the Packers' mandatory minicamp slate from June 10-12. He's due $17.5 million dollars if he's on the Packers' active roster at the start of the season. Alternatively, they'd create roughly $6 million dollars worth of cap space if they opt to release him.
A trade, even at this point in the off-season, isn't entirely off of the table. The Packers received interest in Alexander, both during free agency and leading up to the draft. It's just a matter of whether or not general manager Brian Gutekunst wants to pull the trigger on an offer that he doesn't feel is adequate.
The only two additions the Packers made to their cornerback room this spring was the acquisition of Nate Hobbs with a four-year, $48 million dollar contract and seventh-round pick that was spent on Tulane's Micah Robinson. There's still a place for Alexander if he does choose to return to the lineup, albeit after some shuffling. Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and Hobbs are projected to be the Packers' three primary cornerbacks with Javon Bullard, a second-round pick last spring, expected to compete once again for the starting nickelback job.
Even if the Packers and Alexander would be able to resolve their differences in an ideal world, this last season may have left a bitter taste in the mouths of many, so it isn't difficult to see why a fresh chapter may be necessary for both sides. Alexander tore his posterior cruciate ligament in the final seconds of an Oct. 27 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. After being shelved for a few weeks, he returned on Nov. 17 against the Chicago Bears, but played just 10 defensive snaps before removing himself from the game due to the immense discomfort.
There was a hope that he'd be able to beat the initial recovery timeline and potentially return in time for the Packers' late-season surge, hence why he was never placed on injured reserve. Despite numerous attempts to play, Alexander was experiencing swelling in his knee.
Before the Packers traveled to Seattle for a primetime date with the Seahawks, Alexander was a full practice participant for two consecutive days before being held out entirely on Friday, Dec. 13. He spent the ensuing week practicing in a full capacity, but didn't play on Dec. 23 against the New Orleans Saints nor did he play against the Minnesota Vikings the following weekend despite logging a full practice on Wednesday—he was downgraded to limited on Thursday and a non-participant on Friday.
Zachary Jacobson is the Editor-in-Chief of Packer Report. He is entering his 11th season covering the Green Bay Packers. He is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America. Follow him on Twitter @zacobson or contact him via email at itszachariahj@gmail.com