Jaire Alexander. William Glasheen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Jaire Alexander's final NFL chapter takes wild $889,000 turn

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Mar 12, 2026 3:02 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers have had a rather interesting few seasons at the cornerback position over the last few years. Most recently, they signed Benjamin St-Juste in free agency and released Nate Hobbs after just one year of his four-year contract.

The decision to move on from Hobbs was made because of his inability to stay healthy. Furthermore, when he was healthy, he did not play up to the standards Green Bay had for him. There are a number of reasons for this, such as the Packers trying to make him into a boundary corner when he has excelled in slot.

In any case, Green Bay will remain watchful in the cornerback market, in both free agency and the NFL Draft. Their hope, of course, is that they can find another franchise back like they had in prime Jaire Alexander.

Former Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander had to pay the Philadelphia Eagles

Green Bay Packers: Ex-Green & Gold CB Jaire Alexander Has Brutally Honest Reminder to Lamar Jackson 3 Jul 24, 2025; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Ravens cornerback Jaire Alexander (23) runs drills during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images

At one time, Alexander was not only among the best cornerbacks in the NFL, he was also the highest paid one. A two-time All-Pro with the Packers, Alexander brought an edge and excitement to the game that endeared him to fans.

But things did not end well between him and the organization. After several injury plagued seasons towards the end of his tenure, along with some curious on and off-field incidents, Green Bay decided to release him in June of 2025.

This paved the way for Keisean Nixon to take over the role of CB1, one that he was excited to claim but drew criticism from fans. After his release from the Packers, Alexander signed with the Baltimore Ravens in free agency.

However, despite claims of being healthy, Alexander was often a healthy scratch on game days. All told, he only appeared in two games for Baltimore last season.

About midway through the year, the Ravens decided to trade Alexander to the Philadelphia Eagles. And while it appeared that he was excited to join the reigning Super Bowl champions, his time there did not last long either.

Shortly after the trade, Alexander announced he was stepping away from football.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the decision resulted in him and Baltimore having to pay the Eagles $889,000:

“After cornerback Jaire Alexander never played for the Eagles following a November trade, Philadelphia has been paid back $889,000 and received a salary cap credit, league sources told ESPN.”

$500,000 of this total was paid to the Eagles by Baltimore, and the remaining total had to be paid by Alexander himself. It amounted to what would have been one week’s salary.

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

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