Jaire Alexander is one of the best cornerbacks in the history of the Green Bay Packers, but salary concerns could force the team to cut their two-time Pro Bowler. A first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Alexander has provided lockdown play since entering the league and remains one of the NFL’s better cornerbacks when on the field. Unfortunately, injuries have impacted Alexander’s ability to stay on the field, as he has appeared in fewer than eight games in three of the past four seasons.
Now set to carry a staggering $24.9 million cap hit without any guaranteed money, Green Bay can save $18.1 million with a release. ESPN’s Rob Deovsky reports the Packers will probably cut Jaire Alexander, as these savings are too good to ignore. While this may be the end of his time in Green Bay, several teams across the league could take a risk on the potential lockdown cornerback.
Packers Projected to Cut Jaire Alexander – Potential Suitors Emerge
Possible Team Fits
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers spent the 2024 season fixing their offense at the expense of their defense. This strategy was justified, as Bryce Young needed to emerge as a franchise quarterback. The Alabama product came alive down the stretch, so now it’s time to fix the other side of the ball. Jaycee Horn made his first Pro Bowl appearance, but this team could use another cornerback with Mike Jackson headed for free agency. Jaire Alexander could provide Carolina with a lockdown duo, and signing him and retaining Jackson will give the Panthers three starting-caliber options at the position.
New England Patriots
Christian Gonzalez is one of the few bright spots on the New England Patriots. The final first-round pick of the Bill Belichick Era, Gonzalez appears destined to be a top-five cornerback in this league. Unfortunately, he can only cover one player at a time, and the rest of the cornerback depth chart leaves a lot to be desired. Armed with over $120 million in cap space, New England can offer Jaire Alexander an incentive-laden contract that should keep him from returning to the Packers on a reduced deal. If he stays healthy, New England could have the best cornerback duo in football.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have a young offensive core in quarterback Michael Penix, wide receiver Drake London, and running back Bijan Robinson, but it won’t matter if they don’t improve the defense. The Falcons ranked at or near the bottom in most defensive statistics last season, and one player alone cannot fix this unit. However, a healthy version of Jaire Alexander could provide a much-needed boost to the secondary, as the Packers cornerback will be a much-needed resource when stopping Mike Evans could be the difference between winning and losing the division.
Baltimore Ravens
As of this posting, the Ravens have two great cornerbacks in Marlon Humphrey and first-round pick Nate Wiggins. However, that could change in the coming weeks, as Humphrey is one of the most popular cut candidates across the league. Perhaps the team can agree to a restructured contract, but if they can’t, Baltimore could try and take Jaire Alexander from the Packers. The Ravens play in a vicious conference and need as many good cornerbacks as possible to slow down the elite quarterbacks they’ll inevitably face in the postseason.
New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints traded Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders at the trade deadline and will probably lose Paulson Adebo in free agency. Somebody needs to start opposite second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry, and Alexander could be a cost-effective option if General Manager Mickey Loomis continues to avoid a rebuild. While the Saints have no cap space, they could draw up an incentive-laden contract that will defer cap charges into the 2026 season.
Main Photo: Tork Mason – Imagn Images
The post “Strong Indications” Packers Will Cut 2-Time Pro Bowler – 5 Landing Spots Emerge appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.