The Dolphins are in need of a veteran starter at cornerback. The Green Bay Packers just cut one. Does the move make sense for Miami?
The Miami Dolphins are expected to trade cornerback Jalen Ramsey at some point this summer, a move that has been ongoing throughout the offseason after the two sides decided to part ways. Whenever the trade does happen, the Dolphins will be left with a cornerback group that is light on experience, but does have the potential to grow into a solid unit. The growth part is the worrisome part, however, as the team is looking to win now, with the possibility that the cornerbacks hold them back from that goal.
On Sunday, news broke that the Green Bay Packers are releasing two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander. Could adding Alexander be the signing Miami needs to make to solidify their defensive secondary?
Green Bay selected Alexander in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has been selected to two Pro Bowls and been a Second-Team All-Pro selection twice during his seven-year career. He has 287 tackles, 70 passes defensed, 12 interceptions with one touchdown, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and 1.5 sacks.
He has been limited to just seven games played in each of the last two seasons. In 2023, he missed six games with a shoulder injury and was suspended by the team for detrimental conduct in the season finale. Alexander, despite not being designated a captain for the game, went to midfield for the coin toss and nearly cost the Packers a chance to get the ball at the start of either half. In 2024, a knee injury cost Alexander a significant portion of the year.
Per Acme Packing Company’s Justis Mosqueda, Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy “spoke to WBAY’s Dave Schroeder earlier on Monday and made clear that the move was related to Alexander’s health. He stated that Alexander has been ‘injured a lot’ recently and that the team has ‘kinda been used to’ Alexander not being on their depth chart already.
The Packers were searching for a trade partner prior to deciding to release Alexander.
Miami could look to immediately improve a questionable situation by signing Alexander. They would be taking a chance on an oft-injured player being able to bounce back to Pro Bowl form – but that sounds like standard procedures for the Dolphins at this point. Would the drama and odd behavior follow Alexander from Green Bay to Miami? Would the Dolphins be adding another issue into a locker room that struggled with leadership issues last year? Are the Dolphins in a position to lure in a top veteran who may be ring chasing now that he is a free agent?
Alexander could be the immediate upgrade to the cornerback room Miami needs. He could make the fans feel better about their situation heading into the summer. His healthy will be a factor in any offer the Dolphins were to make. And, it may come down to cost. The Dolphins would have to make sure any deal Alexander would want would be able to fit under the 2025 – and 2026 – salary cap, a cap Miami worked hard to reset this year by avoiding giving out big deals.
Miami needs to be in talks with Alexander. It is just a matter of making those talks turn into a contract that works for both sides, and protects the Dolphins in the event of more injury issues for Alexander.