The Green Bay Packers have made three outside free agent signings so far this offseason, all of them coming at positions of need. Perhaps the most significant of these was the four-year $77 million contract that they gave to former San Francisco 49ers left guard Aaron Banks, who will play the same position in Green Bay.
His signing, in addition to the Packers deciding not to re-sign center Josh Myers, caused a shift on the offensive line. Two-time Pro Bowl left guard Elgton Jenkins is moving to center, the position he played in college. Sean Rhyan will likely remain the starting right guard, Zach Tom will stay at right tackle, and Rasheed Walker will battle 2024 first round pick Jordan Morgan for the starting left tackle job.
But the Banks signing was not the only one that indicates change is on the horizon for the Packers. While wide receiver Mecole Hardman, formerly of the Kansas City Chiefs, is a low-risk signing with very few guarantees, the addition of former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs likely signals that Green Bay is going to move on from Jaire Alexander.
The Green Bay Packers and Jaire Alexander May Be Headed for a Divorce
There is no question that, when healthy, Alexander is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. The problem, though, is that he has rarely been healthy. The two-time Pro Bowler has been limited to 14 out of a possible 34 regular season games over the last two seasons, and has played in just 34 out of 68 possible regular season games over the last four seasons.
Last year, Alexander got off to a great start to the season, intercepting two pass and returning one for his first career touchdown within the Packers’ first few games. However, a knee injury that he sustained in Week Eight essentially ended his season. While the two-time Second Team All-Pro returned in Week 10, he took himself out of the game after 10 defensive plays.
For the rest of the year, Packers fans wondered when, or if, he would be back. Towards the end of the season, Alexander was often listed a full participant in practice on the injury report, but would end up not playing in games.
After Green Bay was eliminated from the NFL Playoffs by the Philadelphia Eagles, an obviously frustrated Alexander told reporters that he had nothing good to say and that he was not sure he would be back in 2025.
An Anonymous NFL Exec Called Green Bay Packers Cornerback a Prima Donna
Alexander’s comments fueled speculation among fans that he would not return to the Packers next season. Many expected Green Bay to try and trade him, but that has not happened yet.
And while his injury history may be a contributing factor, one NFL executive’s backdoor jab at the two-time Pro Bowler may shed light on how Alexander is viewed by the rest of the league.
While talking to Mike Sando of The Athletic about the Hobbs signing, an anonymous NFL executive said, “Hobbs will help them. He is not going to be a prima donna like Jaire Alexander. He is going to come in and play hard, and that is going to be big for them. The mentality is good. He is also a versatile nickel guy — a tough, physical piece who the defensive coordinator can move around and use in different ways.”
“A prima donna.” If that is how other NFL teams view Alexander, it is little wonder the Packers have not yet received a trade proposal that they like, if they have received one at all.
If Green Bay cannot move him after the NFL Draft, they will have to choose between releasing him and keeping him, and it certainly does not sound like either party are interested in a reunion.
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- Chiefs HC Andy Reid Breaks Silence on Super Bowl Hero Joining the Packers
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