The Green Bay Packers are officially moving on from veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander. The team released the two-time Pro Bowl defender just days before mandatory minicamp.
After weeks of speculation and ongoing contract talks, a decision has finally been made. The separation ends an offseason of tension between the player and front-office leadership.
Green Bay spent months exploring possible trade options involving Alexander’s hefty contract. With no suitable deal available, the organization chose to cut ties outright. This decision came ahead of minicamp, which Alexander was reportedly planning to attend. Rather than risk injury during camp sessions, the Packers moved forward with a clean break.
Alexander, 28, was drafted 18th overall by the Packers back in 2018. When healthy, he played at a high level, earning All-Pro honors in two separate seasons.However, injuries became a recurring theme in his career over the past four years. He missed 33 total regular-season games since 2021, limiting his impact on the field.
In 2022, Alexander signed a four-year, $84 million contract extension with Green Bay. The deal made him one of the highest-paid defensive backs in football. Despite the investment, durability concerns made the front office reconsider the long-term commitment. Alexander’s cap hit for 2025 was set to exceed $24 million.
Releasing him after June 1 gives the Packers the financial relief they need this season. The team will save over $17 million in cap space with the post-June 1 designation. Still, Green Bay absorbs over $14 million in total dead money through 2026. It’s a costly decision, but one that signals a fresh start for both sides.
Alexander now enters free agency for the first time in his career. If healthy, he remains a valuable option for teams needing veteran cornerback help. Green Bay’s move indicates confidence in its younger defensive backs to step up. The front office clearly prefers cap flexibility over holding on to an injury-prone star.
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