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Eagles Activate CB After Abrupt Jaire Alexander Retirement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Paul White | Last updated Nov 16, 2025 2:00 PM ET

The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl back in April, thanks in large part to a strong running game and one of the top defensive units in the NFL.

Both of those phases have struggled so far this season, but Philadelphia employs Saquon Barkley as its running back, so they know improving the position isn’t an option.

That didn’t stop them from making aggressive defensive moves at the trade deadline though, with the most notable being edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and cornerback Jaire Alexander.

The former impacted the unit immediately, improving the Eagles’ pass rush and run defense considerably on Monday night.

The Eagles played the Green Bay Packers, the team that originally drafted Alexander, but he didn’t suit up for the team or travel to the game.

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander.Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

The NFL world was stunned on Tuesday night, when it was reported that he would be taking time away from the team to focus on his mental and physical health, so Philadelphia subsequently placed on him on the retirement list.

The Eagles activated Jakorian Bennett after the stunning news, a cornerback they acquired from the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason, and he will likely be the replacement for Alexander.

We have activated CB Jakorian Bennett from reserve and placed CB Jaire Alexander on the Reserve/Retired List. pic.twitter.com/AuMWETi1Yb
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) November 12, 2025

Of course, Bennett is nowhere close to Alexander’s caliber, so he won’t have the exact same role, but Philadelphia clearly believes in him if they had enough conviction to move draft compensation for him.

The team’s cornerbacks have struggled outside of second-year sensations Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, which is why they felt the need to add a defensive back to begin with.

The Phillips trade may very well transform the defense by itself, but Alexander’s retirement is a decision that will sting the Eagles for a while.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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