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Packers GM shares clear vision for the cornerback room after releasing Jaire Alexander, and it says a lot about their process

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Wendell Ferreira | Last updated Jun 23, 2025 10:22 AM ET

The Green Bay Packers will make a free agent addition here and there, especially at the top of the market when an opportunity arises. However, the team's roster-building process usually doesn't include signing mid- or lower-level free agents with a limited ceiling who will block the development of younger players.

The Packers released cornerback Jaire Alexander two weeks ago, and there are fair questions about the top and the depth of the room moving forward. Nevertheless, general manager Brian Gutekunst wants to have complete clarity about the pieces they have now before thinking about adding more pieces.

Starting group and general philosophy

Right now, the Packers do have three starting-level cornerbacks: Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, and free agent addition Nate Hobbs. None of them is a star-level player, but it indicates some level of shift in the philosophy. After years of trying to build a top-heavy cornerback group with high draft picks, Green Bay sees the position as a weak-link proposition.

"We have three guys that combined started over 90 games in the National Football League, and we feel really good about those guys and the versatility that they bring," Gutekunst said in an interview with Cheesehead TV last week. "All three guys are able to play inside and outside, so we are excited about that. There are not many teams in this league that probably have three guys that they feel really good about, and we do."

And that's a fair way to put it. Several teams, almost all in the league, have a better CB1. But it's hard to have a better CB3, and that might be a smart approach for a weak-link position — even though it brings some level of risk.

Depth pieces and process

Another question mark for the Packers' cornerback room is the depth beyond those three starters. Yes, safety Javon Bullard offers flexibility playing in the slot, but the actual backup corners haven't played much (or at all in some instances).

But this is what the Packers do. Before making lower-level signings, they will give the developmental players the chance to step up.

"I like our depth there. I do think between Kalen King, Kamal Hadden, and Micah Robinson, there's going to be some really good competition for the back end into that roster," Gutekunst explained. "I'm excited to give those guys that opportunity to see."

Eventually, if the front office thinks the performance during training camp isn't good enough or if some intriguing market opportunity happens, they could pull the trigger.

"We're always going to look to add to that," Gutekunst mentioned. "If guys become available, whether it's today, tomorrow, as we get into camp, certainly we'll be looking at that. But I like where we are right now. There are some guys who are going to have to go earn it to solidify the back end of the corner group. But I'd like to see those guys have the opportunity to compete for those jobs."

Since taking Eric Stokes in the first round back in 2021, the Packers haven't spent a draft pick before the seventh-round on the position. Right now, Nixon and Hobbs were acquired in free agency, King and Robinson were seventh-round picks, and Hadden was signed in the street as a rookie to the practice squad.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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