The Green Bay Packers released cornerback Jaire Alexander on Monday.
The franchise had sought a trade partner for the two-time Pro Bowler, but was unable to find another team willing to absorb his $24.6 million cap hit for the upcoming season.
The 28-year-old will become a free agent, able to sign with any team in the league.
Alexander has been tied to several teams, including the Washington Commanders, since trade rumors began percolating last year.
Washington’s secondary struggled throughout their upstart 2024 campaign, and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. worked with Alexander in 2018 as Green Bay’s defensive passing game coordinator.
The rumor mill began churning over the last two weeks as Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore — who Washington added at last year’s trade deadline — skipped the team’s optional practices.
While some fans clamored to add another veteran presence in the secondary, analysts remained unimpressed.
The Commanders already added rookie cornerback Trey Amos in the second round of this year’s draft. And Lattimore, despite an unimpressive first season in the District, is on a team-friendly contract through the 2026 season.
It doesn’t help that Alexander has struggled with injuries after a hot start to his NFL career. The Louisville product played just seven games in each of the last two seasons, missing 34 of Green Bay’s 68 games since 2021.
“Just that alone is enough to scare me off,” John Auville said on 106.7 The Fan’s “Sports Junkies.”
The Commanders return to practice Tuesday for the first day of mandatory minicamp.