News broke Monday morning that the Green Bay Packers are releasing cornerback Jaire Alexander after seven years with the team. This follows months of speculation that the two sides could part due to contract conflict and Alexander’s inability to stay healthy. No trade occurred, however, and the timing of the move surprised NFL analyst Chris Simms – so much so, after a period of seeming reconciliation, that he thinks an unreported incident could have caused the decision.
Jaire Alexander Has a History of Irksome Behavior
Alexander doing something dumb would not contradict his history in Green Bay.
In 2023, Alexander earned a one-game suspension for accompanying the team captains to the coin toss in a game against the Panthers, of his own accord. He then called the toss – tails – and, when the Packers won, almost cost them a possession by saying that Green Bay wanted to play defense, instead of using the standard language of “deferring” to the second half.
The way Alexander worded his response would allow the other team to begin both halves with the ball. Fortunately, a sympathetic referee clarified that he indeed meant to defer.
Green Bay Packers, Jiare Alexander, Packers news
Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) and safety Rudy Ford (20) celebrate after breaking up a pass play against the Minnesota Vikings during their football game on Sunday, January, 1, 2023 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
As much as money and injury issues, moodiness and a lack of cooperation figured into earlier speculation that his time as a Packer was waning.
But if Green Bay planned on cutting him, Simms said Monday on Pro Football Talk, they would have done it sooner.
“When it happens right now, as we’re into mini-camp time, it’s such an abrupt, weird time for this to happen all the sudden. Usually decisions like this have already been made. Boom. This makes me believe that something else happened, or there’s just more malcontent or disagreement.”
Either way, it isn’t a good look for Alexander.
Green Bay Packers Jaire Alexander, Packers news
Nov 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) gestures to the fans before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Green Bay Packers Lose Valuable Player but Gain Peace of Mind
Whether Alexander engaged in further shenanigans or an unsettled contract re-sparked friction, it is indeed a strange time for the move. If the Packers knew they were going to cut him otherwise, they could have sucked up, sold low and flipped him for a late-round pick before the draft. If they couldn’t get a deal done, why wait until such a disruptive time to formally release him, as the rest of the roster unites in training camp?
Simms elaborated on his hypothesis, suggesting that Alexander’s actions drove the Packers to say, “‘Okay, the hell with it, we don’t want to deal with it. Go ahead. See you later, you’re free. You’re out of here.'”
Green Bay Packers, Jaire Alexander, Packers news
Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander does
The Griddy after breaking up a pass intended for Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) on Sunday, January 1, 2023, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Purely from a talent perspective, the team could have used his help. When healthy, Alexander can still be elite. At cornerback, the Packers will now rely on Keisean Nixon and free agent signee Nate Hobbs, Nixon’s Raiders teammate in 2021, without much depth behind them.
If another team can stomach Alexander’s baggage and decides to sign him, they will be getting a plus-level, if problematic defensive back. Said Simms, “This is a damn good player to be on the open market right now.”
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