Jaire Alexander’s Departure Clarifies Packers’ Future

Financial Aspect of the Release

While the Packers still had Alexander, he had two years left on his four-year, $84 million contract. 

With the release of Alexander, the Packers gained more than $17 million in salary cap space. 

This money could help fund extensions for Elgton Jenkins, who may be switching to the center position and seeking contract guarantees. 

Also, Zach Tom —  one of the best tackles in football — is entering the final year of his contract and is a likely candidate for an extension. 

Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson are headed into the final year of their rookie deals. The Packers will have to decide whether to extend them or not. With the additional salary cap space, this makes the decision easier as they will more than likely be able to bring back both receivers if they choose. 

Alexander’s Limited Availability

It seems that the Packers are accustomed to playing without him, as he appeared in just 14 regular-season games over the past two seasons. He appeared in 34 of a possible 68 games since the start of the 2021 season.

Recently, shoulder and knee injuries, along with a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team, have limited Alexander’s availability. 

Alexander was placed on injured reserve in the final week of the season due to a torn PCL, which required immediate surgery. 

Current Cornerback Situation

During the offseason, the Packers swapped former first-round pick Eric Stokes to the Raiders and signed Nate Hobbs in free agency to a four-year, $48 million deal. With Alexander’s departure, Hobbs is now expected to play outside rather than the nickel, where he played in Las Vegas.

With one spot left on the outside, the current top options would be Nixon and Valentine. Nixon, who started 15 games for the Packers last season, allowed a 57.7% completion percentage when targeted and a 78.9 passer rating.

Seventh-round pick Carrington Valentine started seven of the 15 games he played in his second season. Valentine allowed a completion percentage of 76.7% of the targets against him and an 80.1 passer rating.

Safeties Will Help Support Corners

The Green Bay safety room was among the top in the NFL a year ago. With the dismissal of Alexander, this group will be expected to help stabilize the secondary.

Xavier McKinney signed a four-year, $67 million deal last season and proved to be one of the best safeties in the game. 

With second-year safety Javon Bullard expected to play nickel, fellow second-year safety Evan Williams should see more time alongside Xavier McKinney. 

The Packers’ safeties proved their top-tier talent last season, and they will now be called on to help support the evolving cornerback crew.

Potential Options

A reunion with former Packer corner Rasul Douglas could soon be on the horizon. Douglas, who had been a part of the Packers from 2021-23, was traded to Buffalo after two and a half seasons in the Green and Gold. While with the Packers, Douglas started 28 games and recorded 174 tackles, 32 pass breakups, and 10 interceptions, proving himself to be one of the more impactful additions to the defense in recent years.

Another possible free agent target is Asante Samuel Jr., as speculated by Lombardi Ave. Though injuries have limited his availability over the past two seasons, Samuel is still viewed as a promising young cornerback. With Green Bay’s available cap space, signing Samuel Jr. can be very intriguing.

As we turn the calendar to July, the preseason begins to creep on the horizon. Regardless of what the Packers do — or don’t do — in the coming weeks, the departure of Jaire Alexander has at least clarified some aspects of their long-term future.