Green Bay Packers fans can argue that the team has found productive results on defense despite lacking a deep pool of talented defensive backs, a testament mostly credited to Jeff Hafley’s coaching ability. Still, even with the addition of former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs this offseason, the defensive back position remains one of the most pressing needs heading into 2025.
On Monday, Green Bay announced they released two-time All-Pro and Pro Bowler cornerback Jaire Alexander. It was a tough but necessary decision. When healthy, Alexander is one of the best cornerbacks in the league and elevates any defensive backfield he joins. However, he missed 34 of Green Bay’s last 68 games. He turns 29 in February and would carry the third-largest cap hit on the team in 2025.
An outright release was not the outcome the Packers had hoped for regarding Alexander’s tenure with the team. Reports suggest that Green Bay initially sought to trade the cornerback to an AFC juggernaut before ultimately deciding on releasing him.
Former Packers CB Jaire Alexander gives the ball to a fan after his interception against the Buffalo Bills.
Former Packers CB Jaire Alexander gives the ball to a fan after his interception against the Buffalo Bills.
© JAMIE GERMANO/ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE / USA TODAY NETWORK
According to ESPN’s NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Packers and the Buffalo Bills held trade talks involving the star cornerback.
"The Packers and Bills held trade talks this offseason centered around CB Jaire Alexander, but talks ultimately fell through and Buffalo moved on," Schultz wrote.
"It’s unclear if the Bills will revisit things now that Alexander has been released — especially since they spent a first-round pick on Maxwell Hairston — but they were a team that had shown real interest."
According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Green Bay made one final offer to keep Alexander with the team, but both sides were unable to reach an agreement.
"The Packers offered Jaire Alexander a reduced, incentive-laden one-year deal that'd make him a free agent in 2026—Alexander turned it down, not liking the structure. Green Bay tried to trade him in March, and during the draft."
"That also failed, so Alexander's a June free agent."
Alexander’s tenure with the Packers has come to an end after seven seasons. During his time in Green Bay, he earned two Second-Team All-Pro honors, two Pro Bowl selections, and a PFWA All-Rookie Team award. The best-case scenario for the Packers now is that Alexander joins a contender in the AFC and stays clear of their path back to the Super Bowl.