Eagles trade adds a new twist to 'MNF' showdown vs. Packers

Some might say that the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers have a rivalry brewing. Their last meeting came in the NFC wild-card round last season, where the Eagles prevailed. Monday night’s showdown carries major playoff implications, as both teams sit with two losses midway through the season.

However, the wild-card rematch isn’t the only storyline adding intrigue to Monday’s matchup. Thanks to a move made by the Eagles near the trade deadline, there is now an added layer to this growing rivalry.

New Eagles CB Jaire Alexander was once a star for the Packers

The Eagles acquired Jaire Alexander and a seventh-round pick from the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick. Alexander, the Packers’ 2018 first-round pick, made a name for himself in Green Bay, where he was a cornerstone of the secondary for seven seasons, earning second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2020 and 2022.

Despite his strong play, Alexander’s availability was a concern during his final years with Green Bay. He appeared in only 14 of the Packers’ 34 regular-season games in his last two seasons in Green Bay, and the team moved on from him before the 2025 campaign. Monday night will mark his first game against his former team. Although Alexander is yet to comment, some may view this as a potential revenge game.

Can Jaire Alexander help Eagles' underwhelming passing defense?

The Eagles are searching to get their pass defense back into the dominant force it was last season, following the offseason subtractions of cornerbacks James Bradberry, Darius Slay and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. In 2024, Philadelphia gave up 174.2 passing yards per game, the fewest in the NFL.  

This year, the Eagles are surrendering 215.9 passing yards per game, which ranks 17th in the league. If the Eagles are trying to bolster their secondary for cheap, taking a gamble on Alexander could prove to be beneficial. 

Upon his release from Green Bay, then-Packers president Mark Murphy praised Alexander's athletic ability, stating, "He's been a great player for us. Obviously, elite talent. Unfortunately, just injured a lot."