Price is right? Eagles' stance on star CB Jaire Alexander lingers

Free agent cornerback Jaire Alexander suddenly hitting free agency feels like finding a vintage Mickey Mantle rookie card at a yard sale. Unexpected treasure. The NFL world buzzed.

Could the Philadelphia Eagles, always lurking for value, swoop in? Picture Lombardi trophies and Philly's relentless defense. Remember the '85 Bears? Dominance starts in the secondary. Now, Philly's backfield has familiar gaps. The whispers started instantly. Where might this star land?

It's like the final table at the World Series of Poker. High stakes, calculated risks. Eagles general manager Howie Roseman loves a bold move. Think Nick Foles replacing Carson Wentz. High drama. Green Bay’s shock release of Alexander sent shockwaves. Why discard a two-time All-Pro cornerback?

Salary cap gymnastics, pure and simple. Suddenly, a top-tier cover guy was available. Teams perked up. Philadelphia, with cap space and a need, naturally entered the chat. We saw this frenzy coming immediately, fueled by shows like Up & Adams. Intrigue mounted.

Analysts are clamoring for the Eagles to sign Alexander. FanSided's Lior Lampert calls it a "worthwhile gamble." He argues that replacing departed veterans Darius Slay and James Bradberry with Alexander makes sense. Philadelphia does have $27 million in cap space. Furthermore, ESPN’s Adam Schefter fueled the fire. He sees a potential fit.

Alexander is undeniably talented. When healthy, he's elite. PFF ratings back that up. However, health is the giant question mark. He played only 14 games the past two seasons. That's a major red flag. Is he still the shutdown corner from 2020? The Eagles must weigh this risk carefully. Consequently, the price tag becomes everything.

The Contract Conundrum

Alexander commanded over $20 million yearly in Green Bay. Those days are likely gone. Schefter laid out the scenario on 97.5 The Fanatic.

"Now, Jaire Alexander, if the price were right and you’re doing a one-year deal—whatever the number is, a low number—they can go make that work if that’s what they wanted to do."

That "if" looms large. Philadelphia values financial flexibility. Big extensions loom in 2026. Therefore, a cheap, short-term deal is their only likely path. And there's a compelling connection.

Eagles DB coach Christian Parker worked with Alexander in Green Bay during his All-Pro 2020 season. That familiarity could ease a transition. Parker knows his strengths. He understands how to maximize him. This factor shouldn't be ignored.

Yet, the Eagles brass publicly backs young Kelee Ringo. Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio see him as the starter. Signing Alexander disrupts that plan. So, will it happen?

It feels like a long shot. The Eagles have $32 million in cap space (Over The Cap). However, they prize future flexibility. Alexander's injury history complicates a big commitment.

Ultimately, unless his asking price plummets dramatically, Philadelphia seems content to develop Ringo. The allure of adding a star like Alexander is strong. But the Eagles, fresh off a Super Bowl win, know true success requires more than splashy names.

As coaching legend John Wooden observed, "Never mistake activity for achievement." Currently, signing Alexander appears to be an activity they might wisely avoid.