The Green Bay Packers have officially announced the release of two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander, marking the end of an era for the franchise and the player who was once considered one of the NFL’s premier defensive backs. The 28-year-old, who has played his entire seven-season career in Green Bay since being drafted 18th overall in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, struggled with injuries and off-field issues over the past two seasons, prompting the Packers to move on.
Alexander’s release comes after a prolonged offseason saga that saw the Packers exploring trade options, contract restructuring proposals, and ultimately, the decision to part ways. According to multiple reports, including those from ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Rob Demovsky as well as NFL Network and The Athletic, the Packers will save over $17 million in salary cap space for the 2025 season by releasing Alexander after June 1, 2025. However, the move also saddles the team with approximately $7.5 million in dead money on the 2025 cap and an additional $9.5 million in dead money on the 2026 cap due to the remaining signing bonus amortization.
Alexander’s career trajectory with the Packers has been a rollercoaster. After a promising start, including a standout 2020 season where he earned his first Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro honors, he signed a then-record four-year, $84 million contract extension in May 2022, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the league at the time. That 2022 season was arguably his best, with Alexander recording five interceptions and 14 passes defended over 16 games, earning another second-team All-Pro nod.
However, the following seasons were marred by significant health challenges and limited availability. Over the 2023 and 2024 seasons combined, Alexander played in just 14 games, hampered by a series of injuries including a shoulder injury in 2021, and a severe posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury to his right knee sustained during Week 8 of the 2024 season. The injury led to multiple setbacks during attempted returns to practice and ultimately required arthroscopic knee surgery on December 31, 2024. The Packers placed him on injured reserve before the 2024 season finale, ending his season prematurely.
His injury woes were compounded by off-field incidents, most notably a one-game suspension in 2023 following a coin toss mishap against the Carolina Panthers, where he was not designated as a team captain but ran out to join the captains, nearly disrupting the call. Although both Alexander and the Packers downplayed the long-term impact of this incident, it marked the first significant crack in their relationship.
General Manager Brian Gutekunst, who drafted Alexander with the 18th overall pick and invested heavily in him, expressed frustration with the player’s inconsistent availability. In January 2025, Gutekunst said, “I know it’s been really frustrating for not only him as a player, but us as a club. When you have a player that has done what he’s done for us in the past, and then not being able to get him on the field consistently, that’s tough. It’s tough on the player, it’s tough on the organization.”
During the 2025 offseason, the Packers sought to trade Alexander to recoup value from their investment. Discussions with teams like the Buffalo Bills reportedly took place, but a trade never materialized. One of the sticking points was Alexander’s reluctance to restructure his contract or accept a pay cut, which was necessary for potential trade partners to accommodate his significant cap hit, which stood at $17.5 million for 2025. Alexander remained confident he could secure a more lucrative deal on the open market rather than accepting a reduced offer from Green Bay.
Negotiations to modify his contract to shift much of his base salary into playing-time incentives fell apart, and after months of searching for trade partners, the Packers ultimately decided to release him. The release, which was finalized just a day before the team’s mandatory minicamp, allows Alexander to become a free agent and seek opportunities elsewhere, likely on a deal heavily laden with incentives reflecting his recent injury history.
The Packers, meanwhile, have pivoted their defensive backfield strategy for the upcoming season. With Alexander gone, the team will rely on younger and newer players such as Keisean Nixon, Nate Hobbs, and Carrington Valentine as their top three outside cornerbacks. Nixon, who impressed in his first full season as an outside cornerback in 2024, received praise from Gutekunst, while Hobbs was signed in free agency to provide versatility in both outside and nickel roles. Valentine, a 2023 seventh-round pick, has shown flashes of potential despite inconsistent playing time.
The decision to release Alexander is a significant moment for the Packers as they aim to stabilize their defense under coordinator Jeff Hafley, who is entering his second year with the team. The uncertainty surrounding Alexander’s health and availability created challenges for game planning, often forcing the coaching staff to prepare alternate schemes depending on whether he was active.
Alexander’s career with Green Bay began with high expectations. In his first three seasons (2018-2020), he played in 44 of 48 games, starting 42, and recorded four interceptions and 41 pass break-ups, quickly establishing himself as a premier cornerback. Despite missing most of the 2021 season due to injury, he bounced back in 2022 with a career-best performance that earned league-wide recognition.
However, the past two seasons’ injuries and suspension have overshadowed his earlier achievements. His limited participation in defensive snaps—less than 32% in three of the last four seasons—has made it difficult for the Packers to justify his substantial salary and cap hit. The Packers’ salary cap situation also played a role in the decision. Releasing Alexander frees up vital cap space, allowing the team to pursue extensions for key players like tackle Zach Tom, linebacker Quay Walker, and defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, and to remain flexible in acquiring veteran talent.
As for Alexander, while his tenure in Green Bay ends on a bittersweet note, his talent and past performance suggest he could find a new home in the league. However, given his recent injury history and contract demands, any new deal will likely include significant incentives tied to playing time and performance.
The Packers’ move to release Alexander closes a chapter on a player who was once a cornerstone of their defense but whose recent struggles have forced the franchise to look ahead. The 2025 NFL season will reveal how both sides adapt to this new reality.
