People act as multiple characters throughout the day. At home, at work, around friends. It's normal human behavior, and you will not be the exact same person with everyone. That's probably what happened to Jaire Alexander to a certain degree, and coming back from suspension, the Green Bay Packers star cornerback indicated the external public will see a more serious version of him.

"I think it was definitely something to learn from," Alexander said of the one-game absence. "There's definitely things that I could have improved upon during that week to help with communication. Moving forward, that won't happen again."

In terms of communication, Jaire didn't tell the Packers coaching staff he would be on the coin toss during the Carolina Panthers game. It almost cost Green Bay a possession, and it cost Jaire an important game against the Minnesota Vikings. But now he is back, and the timing is relevant once again.

Against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, the Packers need a win to clinch a playoff berth, and DJ Moore is as big of a challenge as Justin Jefferson was last week. The Packers expect that the renewed relationship allows Alexander to focus on what's truly important for the team.

"Ja's been phenomenal this week. He really has," said Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry. "It's still Jaire Alexander. When you get him back in the building, and back with the potential of the availability, it's great to have him here and with us and back in the fold."

When the Packers announced the suspension last week, general manager Brian Gutekunt indicated that the team still expected to have Alexander as a long-term piece. After the time away from the team, the All-Pro player appears to be in a good place with the organization.

"It doesn't affect my relationship with anybody," Alexander added. "I think if anything, it improved it. It was good for both parties to hear both sides. That's kind of what we alluded to. We got down to the nitty-gritty. We all just agreed to be on the same page with communication moving forward."

Jaire Alexander has a positive track record against Justin Fields. Last year, for example, he intercepted the Bears quarterback once in each game. In this year's week 1, Green Bay limited DJ Moore to two receptions for 25 yards. It will be hard to replicate the same success, but Alexander is a big part of the plan to do so.

"It was great to have him back," head coach Matt LaFleur said. "We had a great conversation on Monday, and I think he's ready to go."

Long-term piece

Beyond Sunday, it makes total sense for the Packers to be in a good spot with Jaire. After all, Alexander is an elite player, he's still young, and he's under contract through 2026. If the Packers decided to trade him next offseason, they would actually lose cap space, as his hit would jump from $24.364 million to $27.456 million in 2024.

"He is a valued member of this team and will continue to be in the future," said Gutekunst in a statement last week.

Green Bay will have to pay Alexander an $8 million roster bonus in March, and they appear comfortable doing so.

Before that, though, there's a big game on Sunday. The Packers have shown the ability to win games without Alexander, but having him back on the fold elevates what the defense can do, especially against a premier offensive weapon on the other side.

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