As the Green Bay Packers navigate a pivotal offseason, the future of their star cornerback, Jaire Alexander, remains a focal point of intrigue. The two-time All-Pro, who has been the subject of trade rumors for months, has reportedly been offered a restructured contract by the Packers, signaling a potential shift in the team’s strategy to retain their elite defender. This development, reported by Matt Schneidman of The Athletic, comes amid ongoing trade discussions that have kept Alexander’s status with the team uncertain.
A Turbulent Offseason for Alexander
Jaire Alexander, a 2018 first-round pick, has been one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks when healthy, boasting a career catch rate allowed of just 51.7%, including an impressive 47.6% in 2024, per Sports Info Solutions. However, his availability has been a persistent issue. Over the past four seasons, Alexander has started only 34 of 68 possible games, with injuries, including a PCL tear requiring knee surgery in 2024, and a one-game suspension in 2023 for conduct detrimental to the team, limiting his impact. His $84 million, four-year contract, signed in 2022, made him the highest-paid cornerback at the time, but his $24.6 million cap hit in 2025 and injury history have fueled speculation about a potential split.
The Proposal: A Restructured Deal
In a surprising twist, the Packers have extended a restructured contract offer to Alexander, aiming to balance his elite talent with his injury concerns. The proposed deal, while not publicly detailed, is believed to adjust Alexander’s $17.5 million cash payment for 2025 to better align with his recent on-field availability. According to posts on X, Alexander plans to attend the team’s mandatory minicamp on June 10, regardless of whether the contract situation is resolved, suggesting a willingness to work toward a resolution with Green Bay.
General Manager Brian Gutekunst has remained noncommittal publicly, stating at the NFL owners’ meetings in March that Alexander “absolutely” could return in 2025, but the team is still “working through” the situation. This new proposal indicates the Packers may prefer to keep Alexander rather than trade or release him, especially given the lack of depth at the cornerback position.
Trade Talks and Market Challenges
Trade discussions surrounding Alexander have been ongoing since February, with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reporting that the Packers are open to moving the 28-year-old for the right price. Teams like the Carolina Panthers, Baltimore Ravens, Los Angeles Chargers, and Washington Commanders have been linked as potential suitors, with analysts citing Alexander’s ability to bolster struggling secondaries. However, his $24.6 million cap hit and injury history have deterred trade partners, as noted by FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz, who reported that most executives believe the Packers may ultimately release Alexander due to limited trade interest.
A release would save Green Bay nearly $6.8 million in cap space, or $17.08 million if designated post-June 1, per OverTheCap.com. Yet, Alexander’s camp has made it clear he would prefer a release to choose his next destination rather than accept a pay cut to facilitate a trade, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. This stance complicates potential deals, as teams may hesitate to surrender draft capital for a player with such a high salary and injury concerns.
Impact on the Packers’ Secondary
The Packers’ secondary is already thin, with Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine projected as starting outside cornerbacks and recent free-agent signee Nate Hobbs expected to play primarily in the slot. Green Bay’s decision to wait until the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft to select a cornerback (Tulane’s Micah Robinson) underscores the potential gap Alexander’s departure would create. Despite his limited playtime, Alexander’s 2024 performance—two interceptions, seven pass breakups, and a pick-six—demonstrates his value when healthy.
Quarterback Jordan Love has publicly supported keeping Alexander, emphasizing his importance both on the field and in the locker room. “He’s definitely a player we need back,” Love said on the Up & Adams Show. “The play style he plays with, who he is on the field… that’s a guy we need to have around.”
Looking Ahead
The Packers’ offer to restructure Alexander’s contract represents a strategic pivot, aiming to retain a proven playmaker while addressing financial and reliability concerns. If Alexander accepts the deal, it could solidify Green Bay’s defense as they build around young quarterback Jordan Love and a roster poised for a Super Bowl push. However, if negotiations stall, the Packers may face a tough decision: trade Alexander for less than ideal compensation or release him outright, risking the loss of a cornerstone player for nothing in return.
As the offseason progresses, all eyes will be on Alexander and the Packers to see whether this bold proposal leads to reconciliation or accelerates a breakup that once seemed inevitable. With mandatory minicamp approaching, the resolution of this saga will shape Green Bay’s defensive outlook for 2025.