The Green Bay Packers are heading into an offseason filled with important decisions after their 2024 campaign concluded with a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the postseason. Despite battling injuries throughout the year, the Packers managed to win 11 regular-season games, showcasing their potential to remain competitive in the coming years. However, tough calls regarding the roster are looming, including the future of two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander.
Alexander, once considered one of the league’s premier defensive backs, has been limited to just 14 regular-season games over the past two years due to injuries. This decline in availability has raised questions about his long-term fit with the team. According to Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac, the Packers may decide to part ways with Alexander during the offseason. Ginnitti predicts that Alexander could land with the New England Patriots on a one-year, $10 million deal.
“The Green Bay Packers and Jaire Alexander,” Ginnitti explained. “The Packers have been highly effective with their roster management over the last decade, but the four-year, $84 million extension for Alexander may prove to be one of their few missteps. After a stellar 2022 season, Alexander has struggled with injuries, casting doubt on his future in Green Bay.”
Ginnitti noted that Alexander’s current contract includes two years and $37 million remaining, but none of that money is guaranteed, nor are there offseason bonuses to contend with. This financial flexibility could make it easier for the Packers to move on from the veteran cornerback. Ginnitti’s projection: “The Packers release Jaire Alexander this March, incurring a $19.1 million dead cap hit but creating $6.7 million in cap space. Alexander then signs a one-year, $10 million contract with the New England Patriots for the 2025 season.”
The Patriots are a logical landing spot for Alexander, given their ample cap space and a clear need for reinforcements at the cornerback position. Although this prediction remains speculative, the possibility of Alexander leaving Green Bay seems plausible given his recent injury history and the financial constraints surrounding his contract.
If this scenario unfolds, it would mark the end of Alexander’s tenure with the Packers, a team he has been a key part of since being drafted in the first round in 2018. While his potential departure would be a tough pill to swallow for Packers fans, it underscores the harsh realities of managing a competitive NFL roster under the salary cap. Whether or not Alexander signs with the Patriots, this offseason will be pivotal in shaping the Packers’ roster and ensuring they remain a force in the NFC for years to come.
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