On Monday, 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 after months of uncertainty surrounding Alexander’s future with the Packers, who selected him in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
While many fans expressed surprise and/or dismay regarding the news, one cannot say that it was not entirely unexpected. At the end of Green Bay’s season, Alexander told reporters that he had “nothing good to say” and that he was not sure if he would return in 2025.
His comments came on the heels of a drawn out feud between the two-time Second Team All-Pro and the Packers, who disagreed on how Alexander’s knee injury should be treated. Despite the fact that he was able to participate fully in practice late in the season, he did not suit up for any of their games after Week 11.
Why Did the Green Bay Packers Release Jaire Alexander?
There is little doubt that, when healthy, Alexander is among the best, if not the very best, cornerbacks in the NFL. However, the problem is that he has rarely been healthy.
Since signing a contract extension that made him the highest-paid cornerback in the league (at the time), Alexander has played just 34 of a possible 68 regular season games. Over the last two seasons, he has played in just 14 of a possible 34.
After the news of Alexander’s release was made public, Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy did not hide the fact that the two-time Pro Bowler’s recent injury history played a major factor in Green Bay’s decision to part ways with him: “He has been a great player for us. Obviously, elite talent. Unfortunately, just injured a lot,” Murphy said.
Former Green Bay Packers Cornerback Jaire Alexander Will Make Less Money in Free Agency
As one might expect, the Packers were none too keen on parting ways with Alexander without getting something in return. Indeed, they did try to trade him earlier this offseason to the Buffalo Bills. However, the Bills wanted Alexander to restructure his contract, and he refused. As a result, Buffalo pulled out of negotiations.
When it was clear that they were not going to be able to trade their star cornerback, Green Bay tried to work out a contract restructure with him themselves. These talks, however, did not go very far and the Packers made the decision to release him before the start of mandatory minicamp.
Alexander was due to make $17.5 million this season, and it is unclear how much of a pay cut the Packers wanted him to take. However, it is known that they had put incentives in the deal that could have helped him make close to his original salary.
Now that he is a free agent, though, NFL salary cap experts are sure that he is not going to make anywhere close to $17 million on the open market:
Tre’Davious White’s 1 year, $4.25M contract (max $8M w/ incentives) from the #Rams last year is a likely starting point for Jaire Alexander in free agency.
Cap-adjusting for 2025, Alexander could secure a deal that maxes out at $10M for the upcoming season.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) June 9, 2025
As one can see from the post above, the two-time Pro Bowler may end up making $10 million or less. Tre’Davius White, the player mentioned in the post, is also a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback who has battled injuries over the past several seasons.
Indeed, his contract is a great starting point for trying to determine what worth Alexander has on the market. As can been seen, it is far less than what he would have originally made.
In fact, Alexander could end up making less than he would have if he had accepted Green Bay’s restructure.
More Green Bay Packers News from Gridiron Heroics
- Injured Packers Star Somehow Named Possible Trade Target to Appease Aaron Rodgers
- Packers-Ravens Backed Out of Massive Trade
- Jordan Love Has 1 Request for Aaron Rodgers When Packers Meet Steelers in Week 8
For More Great Football Content
Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19 more great content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in college and professional football, click here
