Ravens stare down obvious move to get Lamar Jackson back for mandatory minicamp

The Baltimore Ravens have been excelling during OTAs. Players are returning to form in preparation for the 2025 season, and others are breaking out and looking to make their names heard this year. However, one player who has been absent over the recent days has been quarterback Lamar Jackson.

There’s no reason to panic for Baltimore. The OTAs are voluntary, and several other veterans haven’t been attending. Jackson's case is a little different. He forfeited $750,000 after failing to attend at least 80 percent of the team’s practices during OTAs. While he’s done this before, there’s one move the Ravens could make to ensure that Jackson is back with the team by the mandatory minicamp rolls around–signing cornerback Jaire Alexander. 

The Green Bay Packers released Alexander on Monday. While he’s become injury-prone, he’s one of the top corners in the league. He’s also Jackson’s former college teammate at Louisville, which would make the franchise quarterback ecstatic.

A college reunion could be in store

Jackson and Alexander dominated the nation while at Louisville. They both began their college career in 2015 and left their legacy after the 2017 season. The duo helped keep Louisville on the map and were must-see TV during those three years. 

Their relationship was on full display during the 2018 NFL Draft. Alexander was selected 18th overall by the Packers, and Jackson with the 32nd pick by the Ravens. However, Alexander’s reaction may have been the highlight of that night. While doing an interview, he heard Jackson’s name get called and couldn’t have been happier, cutting off the interview to celebrate his college teammate. 

One of the Ravens’ main focuses is building a brotherhood on and off the field. The inseparable brotherhood between Jackson and Alexander would only amplify that. Bringing Alexander in would help Baltimore conduct Jackson's extension talks and showcase a better product on the field to a defense that needs the talent.

Since entering the league as a rookie in 2018, Alexander hasn’t had a Pro Football Focus grade below 70.2. His laundry list of injuries in recent years might scare most teams away from signing the 28-year-old, but Baltimore has the depth at defensive back to take the risk on that. 

The stars at the top of the chain include Pro Bowl-level talent in Marlon Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton, and emerging young star Nate Wiggins. The team also has young talent who can step in if needed. T.J. Tampa, Robert Longerbeam, and Bilhal Kone are all looking to prove themselves after the Ravens spent day-three picks on each of them in the last couple of years. Undrafted free agent Reuben Lowery is also impressing in OTAs, and veteran corner Chidobe Awuzie can still contribute.

Alexander to Baltimore makes too much sense. His relationship with Jackson is one thing–the team likely wouldn’t have to worry about Jackson missing mandatory minicamp–but Alexander would also improve the team. Though he’s been through numerous injuries, the talent is still there, and there is more than enough depth in the defensive back room for Baltimore to fall back on in case he does get injured.

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