On Monday morning, it was reported that the Green Bay Packers had informed two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander that they were going to release him. This decision came as the result of the two sides being unable to reach an agreement on a restructured contract that would have lowered his $17.5 million salary.
Prior to these negotiations, the Packers had also tried to trade Alexander to the Buffalo Bills, but he would not restructure his contract for them either, so they pulled out of the talks.
Of course, the reason that Green Bay was looking to trade their star cornerback in the first place was due to his inability to stay healthy and on the field, a fact that outgoing team President and CEO Mark Murphy made plainly clear after the new broke.
While speaking with Dave Schroeder at the Packers facilities on Monday, Murphy was asked about Alexander’s release and the reasoning behind it. While he was highly complimentary of the talent that the now former Packers cornerback possesses, he also explained that Alexander’s injury history was the reason for the team’s decision.
Mark Murphy on the Packers releasing Jaire Alexander: “ He has been a great player for us. Obviously, elite talent. Unfortunately, just injured a lot.” pic.twitter.com/gJmPInutpK
— Dave Schroeder (@SchroederWBAY) June 9, 2025
“ He has been a great player for us. Obviously, elite talent. Unfortunately, just injured a lot,” Murphy said. He also stated, when asked about Green Bay’s cornerback depth, that the Packers have “been used to” playing without the two-time Pro Bowler. Over his last four seasons, Alexander has played just 50% of the team’s regular season games, and has missed 20 games over the last two years.
While it is unfortunate that the Packers and the first player Brian Gutekunst ever drafted could not work something out, one can understand why Green Bay was hesitant to pay him his full $17.5 million.
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