The NFL has been in its offseason for a while now, but that’s often when things heat up the most. The Green Bay Packers were in ongoing discussions with veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander about the team’s direction and his future. The Packers hoped Alexander would agree to a restructured contract that rewarded him based on the number of games he played.
“On the contract front, the Packers could want a revised deal that allows Alexander -- who has missed at least 10 games in three of the last four seasons -- to earn his full salary if he's healthy and available in 2025 but protects the team in case the injuries continue,” Packers Wire’s Zach Kruse wrote.
However, talks fell through, prompting GM Brian Gutekunst to make the surprising decision to release Alexander outright. Many expected a trade if no deal could be reached.
“Packers GM Brian Gutekunst met in person with CB Jaire Alexander on Sunday one last time, presumably giving him one last chance to restructure/reduce his contract and when he refused, Alexander was released from the team the next morning. Jaire has yet to comment this offseason,” Packers reporter Mike Clemens wrote.
Shortly after his release, Lamar Jackson publicly called for Ravens GM Eric DeCosta to sign Alexander.
“Go get him, Eric," Jackson said, referring to Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta. "I love all of our corners, don't get me wrong. But go get him Eric."
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On Wednesday, DeCosta responded. The Ravens signed Alexander to a deal worth $11 million less than what he would have made in Green Bay.
“New Ravens CB Jaire Alexander signing a one-year, $4 million deal with $2 million in play-time incentives on top of that, source said. Missed 20 games the last year, so the structure makes sense. Had $17.5 million on his deal in Green Bay for 2025, before the Packers cut him,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported.
Alexander will now have a chance to prove he can stay healthy. If he does, this one-year deal could set him up for a longer and more stable contract—giving him the opportunity to start fresh outside of Green Bay.