Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) reacts after intercepting a pass during the first quarter of the wild card playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, January 14, 2024 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Green Bay Packers released two-time All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander.
Alexander, 28, skipped the team’s in-person, voluntary workouts this offseason but was expected to be at the mandatory minicamp that begins Tuesday. That is, until the Packers opted to let him go.
“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,” said general manager Brian Gutekunst in a statement Monday confirming the decision. “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.”
A contentious relationship between the two parties continued this offseason, with the Packers seeking to restructure his contract amid frustration over his lack of availability; Alexander appeared in just 14 games over the past two seasons combined.
Last season, he didn’t play after Week 11, contending he was injured, though he did participate in some practices. In 2023, shoulder and knee injuries — along with a one-game team suspension — that limited his availability.
The team attempted to trade him this offseason to no avail.
“We invested a lot in Jaire and want to make sure, if he’s not gonna be on our football team helping us win games, that we get something back for that investment,” Gutekunst said earlier this offseason. “So we’ll see where it goes, but again, working with (Alexander’s agent) weekly and trying to figure out what’s best for both Jaire and the Packers.”
The team selected Alexander in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has two years left on the four-year extension he signed in 2022 that features a base salary of $16.15 million in 2025 and $18.15 million in 2026.
Releasing him after June 1 will cost the Packers more than $7.5 million in dead money for the upcoming season, according to Over The Cap, but also comes with approximately $17.1 million in cap savings. In 2026, the Packers will take a $9.5 million hit in dead money — but add $17.5 million of room under the cap.
Alexander was a second-team All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection in both 2020 and 2022. Over seven seasons, he appeared in 78 games (76 starts).
He has 12 career interceptions with a high of five in 2022. He also recorded three picks in seven playoff appearances.
–Field Level Media
