The Green Bay Packers decided to suspend cornerback Jaire Alexander for one game for conduct detrimental to the team. That means he is out for the game against the Minnesota Vikings next Sunday, but can be back for the season finale versus the Chicago Bears in week 18.

Packers GM released a statement about the decision:

^{"The decision to suspend a player is never easy and not one we take lightly. Unfortunately, Jaire's actions prior to the game in Carolina led us to take this step," said Gutekunst. "As an organization, we have an expectation that everyone puts the team first. While we are disappointed, we had a good conversation with Jaire this morning and fully expect him to learn from this as we move forward together. We look forward to welcoming him back next week as he is a valued member of this team and will continue to be in the future."}

Jaire Alexander was not a captain, but decided to go to the coin toss as one. After the game, the All-Pro cornerback said he did it because he is from North Carolina.

"It's only suiting," Alexander said after the game. "I don't think coach knew I was from Charlotte."

That created another layer. By the way Alexander communicated his option after the coin toss, the referee had to check the decision with head coach Matt LaFleur, who had the intention to defer his choice. Alexander said to the referee he wanted to kick it, which could have left the door open for the Carolina Panthers to receive the ball in both halves.

Relationship

Jaire Alexander has had a tough season, and his relationship with the Packers management doesn't seem to be in a good place.

He missed three games earlier in the season because of a back issue. The bigger problem, though, happened when Alexander hurt his shoulder against the Los Angeles Rams in early November.

The Packers decided not to place him on injured reserve, an indication that they expected Jaire to miss fewer than four games. Even though he had been practicing for almost a month, he ended up missing six games.

Head coach Matt LaFleur characterized the Packers decision as a "miscalculation."

Alexander's first game back from injury was the one against the Panthers, and the coin toss situation created another layer for a tough season.

Future

Gutekunst said on his statement that the Packers still value Jaire Alexander, and plan on having him on the roster for the long term.

That's probably the case anyway, because Green Bay is financially tied to the player after signing him to a four-year, $84 million contract. Next season, he's slated to have a $24.364 million cap hit.

If he's traded, for example, the 2024 hit would actually go up to $27.456 million. Cap savings would kick in later — $25.864 million in 2025, $27.864 million in 2026, and $2.364 million in 2027, a void year added by the Packers for cap purposes.

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