It took nearly the whole offseason, but the saga between the Packers and CB Jaire Alexander finally ended like most expected it to — with the veteran corner getting his walking papers. The Packers tried to trade Alexander but other teams didn’t want to take on his full $17.5 million salary either, effectively giving Alexander a no-trade clause if he refused to rework his deal. He nixed at least one offer, one that would have sent him to the Bills, by declining a pay cut.
For a little bit, it looked like the Alexander and the Packers would be able to work out a compromise, with Alexander staying in Green Bay in exchange for reducing his salary to a more palatable number. It would have helped the Packers, too, as they’re especially shallow at corner without Alexander. In the end, those talks fell through as well, and Alexander will become an unrestricted free agent, able to pick his next destination.
That freedom was clearly worth a lot to Alexander. It’s hard to say definitively without knowing the financial particulars of either Buffalo or Green Bay’s offers whether Alexander made the right decision. But it’s easier to say Alexander won’t break the bank when he signs his next contract. He’s played just 14 games over the past two seasons and has missed significant time in three of the past four. He remains a starting-caliber corner when he’s on the field, but with that injury history at 28 years old, there just is not going to be an appetite from teams to fork over eight figures.
That’s not to say Alexander won’t have a market. There are too many teams that need help at cornerback, and now that he’s available, we have him ranked as our top available player in our Top 100 Free Agents list — higher than fellow CB Asante Samuel Jr. and WR Amari Cooper. But there’s a case to be made that his best path to having a strong 2025 season and cashing in as a free agent in 2026 was staying in Green Bay, where he knows the system and his teammates.
The fact that he didn’t is probably an indicator that Alexander was equally as ready as the Packers for a fresh start.
Alexander, 28, is the former 18th overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Packers. He was entering the fourth year of a four-year, $12.050 million rookie deal that included a $6.844 million signing bonus before Green Bay picked up his option.
Alexander was set to make a fully guaranteed base salary of $13.294 million in 2022 under the fifth-year option when the Packers signed him to a four-year, $84 million extension.
He was scheduled to make base salaries of $16.15 million and $18.15 million in the final two years of that deal when the Packers released him in June.
In 2024, Alexander appeared in seven games for the Packers and made seven starts, recording 16 tackles, a fumble recovery, two interceptions, one defensive touchdown and seven pass defenses.
We have him included in our Top 100 Available NFL Free Agents list.
Atlanta Falcons
When trying to connect the dots on where Alexander, or any free agent, could potentially land, it’s handy to keep the letter “F” in mind:
- Fit — does this team have a need at the player’s position? Does he fit the scheme?
- Familiarity — are there coaches or personnel who know the player and are confident enough in their assessment to vouch for him to the tune of millions of dollars?
- Finances — does the money make sense for both sides?
In Alexander’s case, those three “F’s” lead to a fourth — the Falcons. Atlanta has a major need at outside cornerback across from AJ Terrell, one that it wasn’t able to materially address this offseason outside of bringing back 2024 starter Mike Hughes. The defense will be a schematic blend under HC Raheem Morris and new DC Jeff Ulbrich, but either way it should suit Alexander well. The finances could be tricky but the Falcons should be able to afford a few million for Alexander, especially since they’re aiming to be contenders this year and he’s an obvious upgrade if healthy.
The real X-factor for the Falcons is familiarity. Assistant HC Jerry Gray coached Alexander for a few years in Green Bay and had an impact. Alexander spoke glowingly of Gray when the veteran coach left back in 2023 and he would almost certainly welcome a reunion. With Alexander free to sign anywhere, Gray’s influence as a recruiter should carry considerable weight. Add it all up, and I think the Falcons should be the frontrunners for Alexander at this stage.
Minnesota Vikings
There’s a real chance Alexander continues the long history of players switching sides in this rivalry. Minnesota kept loading up on defense this offseason for DC Brian Flores but one weakness that still remains is the final outside starting corner slot. In base defense, Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers are the top two options, but when Minnesota goes into nickel either Mekhi Blackmon or Jeff Okudah will be pushed into the game with Murphy going to the slot. Alexander is a clear upgrade over those options and a smart player who should fit with Flores.
Minnesota also has some notable coaching connections to Alexander. Vikings assistant HC Mike Pettine was the defensive coordinator in Green Bay when Alexander was drafted and for his first few seasons. There’s also plenty of familiarity with Alexander as a division rival who’s had high-profile battles with WR Justin Jefferson and generally held up well.
Miami Dolphins
Miami’s been in the headlines for the past few weeks for its determination to trade CB Jalen Ramsey, which once finalized would make cornerback even more of a need for the Dolphins. Perhaps they could pivot to another high-profile option with Alexander, who would probably come in way cheaper than Ramsey’s scheduled $21.4 million, even if the Dolphins eat a chunk of that in a trade and if Alexander hits the top of his salary range of outcomes.
Alexander would provide some veteran stability to a room that sorely needs it. Betting on either Cam Smith, Storm Duck, fifth-rounder Jason Marshall or Ethan Bonner to step up and hold down one starting cornerback spot is understandable for the Dolphins. Banking on getting two starters out of that group, as the Dolphins would be doing by trading Ramsey without bringing in anyone else, would be a stretch.
From Alexander’s side, players love playing in Miami with no state income tax, warm weather and plenty to do off the field. And while Dolphins LB coach Joe Barry won’t personally be coaching Alexander, the former Packers DC can vouch for what he brings and give Alexander a familiar face.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have been heavily linked as a potential suitor for Ramsey but are reportedly balking at the cost. If they want to add an upgrade to their cornerback room, which has largely gone unaddressed this offseason, Alexander represents a talented and cheaper alternative. He’d be an upgrade over Ahkello Witherspoon as a starting outside corner and give the Rams a ballhawking presence on what is still overall a young unit.
The Rams also can check just about every box Alexander could be seeking, including a starting opportunity, a chance to keep playing for a contender team, warm weather and an appealing city, plus a schematic and coaching fit. Alexander doesn’t have the same depth of connections to the Rams as some other teams on this list, but ILB coach Greg Williams was the defensive pass game coordinator for the Packers in 2023, and of course both Rams HC Sean McVay and Packers HC Matt LaFleur sprouted from the same coaching tree and are friends.
That’s before even mentioning Alexander’s former teammate, new Rams WR Davante Adams. McVay will not have a shortage of intel on Alexander if he wants it.
Washington Commanders
This is the portion of the list where the fits start to make less sense but are still notable enough to mention. In Washington’s case, Commanders DC Joe Whitt Jr. was Alexander’s position coach as a rookie, and Commanders secondary coach Jason Simmons took over for Whitt in Green Bay the following season. That’s a notable connection for a team like Washington that could still need reinforcements at cornerback.
However, Washington has already made its move to acquire a veteran Pro Bowl corner who fell on hard times with his original team due to durability and salary. The Commanders traded for CB Marshon Lattimore last year at the deadline, giving up a package that included a third-round pick. They kept him on for this upcoming season at a salary of $18 million despite Lattimore playing just five games, including the playoffs, in 2024 — and not distinguishing himself particularly well in those five games either.
Unless something happens with Lattimore that affects his status for the season, it’s hard to see how Alexander fits in a room that also includes Mike Sainristil, second-rounder Trey Amos and veteran nickel Jonathan Jones. However, the coaching connection is too strong to ignore completely, as is Washington’s status as a hopeful NFC contender.
Carolina Panthers
Alexander is from Charlotte, which is a crucial detail in the story about how he got himself suspended for one game by nearly flubbing the coin toss for the Packers in a road game against the Panthers when he wasn’t supposed to be at midfield. That was one of several fractures in the relationship that ultimately led to Alexander leaving Green Bay, and it could become relevant for his future destination. Signing with the Panthers would be a homecoming for Alexander and he would be a great fit in DC Ejiro Evero’s system.
The catch is Carolina seems content at the moment with its cornerback group, at least content enough not to throw what will be a decent chunk of cash at Alexander. They paid Jaycee Horn to be the No. 1 corner and veteran Michael Jackson was a pleasant surprise last year, coming back on a two-year deal. Alexander’s better in a vacuum than Jackson, but perhaps not as reliable, and Alexander doesn’t play the nickel. Barring an injury, there are probably better fits for both sides.
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas might have one of the shakiest cornerback groups in the league on paper, as outside of DaRon Bland every corner on the roster has major performance or injury questions. Trevon Diggs and third-rounder Shavon Revel are coming off major knee injuries, while Kaiir Elam and Caelen Carson were liabilities on the field last year. Alexander doesn’t come without significant health concerns of his own but he’d certainly be an upgrade over most of those players and help raise the floor of the group.
The big hangup with Dallas is price. The team has spent more than last offseason but has remained mindful of its budget with big deals for QB Dak Prescott and WR CeeDee Lamb on the books already and a new deal for DE Micah Parsons potentially coming later this summer. Relative to the cornerback market as a whole, Alexander won’t be expensive. Relative to what the Cowboys want to spend, however, might be a different story.
Tennessee Titans
Between L’Jarius Sneed, Roger McCreary and Jarvis Brownlee, the Titans should have no problems finding a quality starting slot corner. Filling the two outside spots might be a little trickier. Alexander would raise the floor of the group and give them a chance to find an upgrade, however, they already have one highly-paid and injury-prone veteran in Sneed. It could take an injury to clear a spot here for Alexander.
It’s also worth asking if Alexander will be open to signing with a team that earned the No. 1 pick last year. All else being equal, that probably will be a negative for the Titans. However, money can overcome a lot of doubts. If the Titans are the highest bidder, that will carry weight. Alexander might also not be as opposed to the idea as you’d think, either, as he did play his college ball relatively nearby at Louisville in Kentucky.
The post Top Free Agent Landing Spots For CB Jaire Alexander appeared first on NFLTradeRumors.co.