Packers release Jaire Alexander: Ian Rapoport breaks down decision, market value

Ian Rapoport shared his thoughts on the Green Bay Packers releasing two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander. While appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, the insider for the NFL Network was asked about the Packers letting Alexander go and his market value heading into 2025.

“I was a little surprised because he’s really talented, he’s not a bad guy,” Ian Rapoport said. “He’s a little bit different and really hilarious, honestly, but not a bad guy. The Packers tried to do a deal before the draft. Couldn’t come up with a team that wanted to pay $15.3 million for Jaire Alexander, offered him a restructured deal, which I believe was a pay cut, and he just never really dug in on that.

“Part of the thought was like, ‘If it’s not going to be Green Bay, let me pick. Let me go find a place.’ He’s going to make some money. He’s going to make some real money. He’s made some in the past. He’s 28, he’s a Pro Bowl-caliber player with sick ball skills; these guys are not often available. I think he’s going to have a real market. It might be before training camp, or he might decide to wait a little bit because he’s in no hurry. But it’s rare that these guys are actually on the market.”

Which team is going to sign Jaire Alexander?

Several teams could use a player like Jaire Alexander. Jared Dubin of CBS Sports named the top landing spots for the two-time All-Pro cornerback, and the teams that could land him are the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys and Atlanta Falcons.

The reason the Packers released Alexander is his health. In the last four seasons, the former Louisville Cardinals star has played at least 16 games once (2022). He played in four games in 2021 and seven in 2023 and 2024 due to multiple injuries.

“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,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said in a statement. “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.”