The move to cut Alexander not only indicates that the front office thought it was not worth paying the seven-year veteran the remaining $16.2 million base salary with a $24.6 million salary-cap hit for 2025, but also shows a belief that the current cornerback core can elevate and remain stout without him.
"In his seven seasons with the Packers, Jaire established himself as one of the premier players in the NFL at one of the game's most challenging positions. His contributions to our organization were felt on the field, in the locker room and in our community, and he will be missed. We appreciate all he gave and we wish him all the best moving forward."
Well, looks I have to get a new jersey, sadly. It was not an ideal way to start the week waking up to the news that such an impactful player was cut without any other sort of resolution. Over the last two seasons, the Packers were 10-4 in games Alexander played and 10-10 in games he did not play.
Is Green Bay more of a Super Bowl caliber team with Alexander on the roster? Absolutely. Was the cornerback depth already questionable and now it feels even more unsettling? Hell yeah.
Nate Hobbs, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Javon Bullard, Kalen King, Kamal Hadden, Micah Robinson, Gregory Junior, Tyron Herring, Isaiah Dunn.
Who is going to step up? I am a believer in Nixon who plays the position with a tough tenancy mentality whose confidence started blossoming at the end of the year. Bringing in Hobbs is even more of a significant signing as he has a chance to prove himself as a special player. Valentine seems to have that ability to impact a game and Bullard showed a lot of potential in his rookie year.
Maybe I am guilty of flying the plane of delusion with the hopes that both sides could renegotiate and restructure a contract. Maybe myself and other Packer fans made ourselves at home in imagination land and believed that if not released then a trade would have been the outcome. I was in true denial, regardless of the behind the scene rumors and tensions, in thinking that this marriage would end with a release as a result. How foolish of me, am I right?
"First of all, he's been a great player for us. Obviously, an elite talent and, you know, unfortunately just injured a lot. Unfortunately that's a big part of our game. The reality is for the last four years for Jaire, it's about half of the games he's been able to play," Murphy added. "So we kind of have been used to it."
Alexander is a championship caliber player, when healthy. Alexander is a difference maker, when healthy. Alexander is a top five corner in the league, when healthy. That is why Green Bay once upon a time paid him to be the highest paid corner in the league.
When healthy, Alexander will positively contribute to whichever team signs him (Miami and San Francisco are the early teams linked to signing him). Speaking of AFC East teams, there was a report that the Packers and Bills held trade talks this offseason for Alexander, but it ultimately fell through.
Yes, the good news is that with the timing of the release Green Bay will carry a $7.5 million cap charge this year ultimately saving themselves just over $17.1 million and $19.5 million next season. That is a nice luxury to have moving forward, however it seems premature to jump for joy until a significant move happens.
Maybe they bring in CB Stephon Gilmore on a one-year deal or bring back fan favorite CB Rasual Douglas? I do not think this is the only move Green Bay makes this week. Stay tuned!