Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst offers statement on release of Jaire Alexander

The Green Bay Packers have officially released Jaire Alexander, and the team’s general manager, Brian Gutekunst has issued a statement. Gutekunst expressed his appreciation for what the Pro Bowl cornerback has done during his time in Green Bay.

“In his seven seasons with the Packers, Jaire established himself as one of the premier players in the NFL at one of the game’s most challenging positions,” Brian Gutekunst said. “His contributions to our organization were felt on the field, in the locker room and in our community, and he will be missed. We appreciate all he gave and we wish him all the best moving forward.”

Before Gutekunst issued his statement, Packers president Mark Murphy talked about Jaire Alexander at a charity outing on Monday. “First of all, he’s been a great player for us,” Murphy told WBAY-TV (via ESPN). “Obviously, an elite talent and unfortunately, just injured a lot. Unfortunately, that’s a big part of our game.

“The reality is for the last four years for Jaire, it’s about half of the games he’s been able to play,” Murphy added. “So we kind of have been used to it.”

Brian Gutekunst was open to trading Jaire Alexander

Alexander was originally selected by the Packers in the first round (No. 18 overall) in the 2018 NFL Draft. He played in 78 regular-season games with 76 starts in seven seasons and notched 302 tackles, 12 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 80 passes defended, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 12 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Alexander earned second-team All-Pro honors twice (2020 and 2022) and was selected to the Pro Bowl twice (2020 and 2022).

Shortly after the 2024 season ended, Gutekunst said he would be open to trading Alexander due to the injuries he suffered over the last few seasons. “We invested a lot in Jaire and want to make sure, if he’s not going to be on our football team helping us win games, that we get something back for that investment,” Gutekunst said in late March. “So we’ll see where it goes, but again, working with him weekly and trying to figure out what’s best for both Jaire and the Packers.”

Alexander was set to make $17.5 million with the Packers this season. He had two years remaining on his four-year, $84 million contract that made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL at the time.