Packers are exploring options for Jaire Alexander and five teams stand out as potential suitors before the 2025 NFL Draft
The Green Bay Packers are open to moving on from cornerback Jaire Alexander. The former All-Pro defensive back has suffered multiple injuries over the past four years, and that combined with his contract is the big reason why the Packers are considering the move—and also why it's not that obvious that they will get reasonable […]
The Green Bay Packers are open to moving on from cornerback Jaire Alexander. The former All-Pro defensive back has suffered multiple injuries over the past four years, and that combined with his contract is the big reason why the Packers are considering the move—and also why it's not that obvious that they will get reasonable compensation for him.
"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," general manager Brian Gutekunst said at the NFL League Meetings. "We'll see where it goes, but again, working with (agent John Thornton) weekly and trying to figure out what's best for both Jaire and the Packers."
Even though there are fair questions about Jaire's cost ($17.5 million in 2025) and availability, some teams could explore the idea based on their cap situations, roster stage, and that Jaire can still be a top player at a premium position.
Las Vegas Raiders
At this exact moment, the Raiders' starting cornerbacks are Darnay Holmes, Jakorian Bennett, and Decamerion Richardson. Needless to say, a healthy Jaire Alexander would be a huge upgrade over any of them. Head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek have shown willingness to make win-now moves, so pulling the trigger on this one wouldn't shock.
The Raiders have $48.8 million in cap space, so there's more than enough room to make the trade financially plausible.
Also, the Packers and Raiders are Always switching defensive backs, right? This offseason, for example, Nate Hobbs signed in Green Bay and Eric Stokes went to Las Vegas.
New England Patriots
The reasons here are similar. The Patriots have even more cap space at $67.6 million, so money is not a problem. But more than that, it's hard to find great players in free agency, and trading for available ones is a smart use of resources if the draft compensation is low.
New England has a much better cornerback room with Carlton Davis and Christian Gonzalez on the outside, but Jaire would give them a lot of flexibility and could play in the slot as well.
Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf worked in Green Bay for a long time and left the Packers exactly in the offseason they took Alexander in the draft, so there's a scouting familiarity too.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have a good cornerback duo with Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland, but Diggs is returning from a sequence of knee issues. Moreover, the slot corner is Israel Mukuamu, so Jaire could certainly play inside in Dallas.
Jerry Jones might not play to pay big money to many players, but he does like big moves and stars. Jaire Alexander has all those elements, and there isn't any long-term financial commitment. The Cowboys have $37.6 million in available cap space.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have a solid long-term cornerback in Joey Porter Jr. and have just added a veteran in Darius Slay. Jaire would give them more flexibility and high-level potential. Also, the Steelers look open to making big-time moves this offseason after acquiring wide receiver DK Metcalf.
Jaire knows quarterback Aaron Rodgers really well, and they had a good relationship back when Rodgers was with the Packers. Pittsburgh has $32.1 million in cap space.
Baltimore Ravens
This is a little trickier because the Ravens only have $11.4 million in cap space, $8.4 million projected after they sign their draft picks. However, Baltimore loves to acquire distressed assets, and parting ways with a low draft pick to get a former All-Pro player seems like a perfect match.
It would be possible to restructure Alexander's contract to make it work financially, so it's ultimately easy to pull it off. The Ravens have good depth in the secondary, but that's helpful because Alexander wouldn't have to be on the field all the time.
