The Jaire Alexander saga in Green Bay is at an end.
The Packers announced on Monday they have released the veteran cornerback.
NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport first reported that Alexander would be released.
The decision comes after months of uncertainty surrounding the two-time Pro Bowler.
“In his seven seasons with the Packers, Jaire established himself as one of the premier players in the NFL at one of the game’s most challenging positions,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said in a statement. “His contributions to our organization were felt on the field, in the locker room and in our community, and he will be missed. We appreciate all he gave and we wish him all the best moving forward.”
Earlier this offseason, it seemed a fait accompli that the Packers would move on, whether through a trade or release. After no trade partner materialized during the 2025 NFL Draft, the sides sought a resolution. The Packers reportedly offered a pay reduction for the former first-round pick to remain in Green Bay. Ultimately, Alexander declined the restructured deal. Now, he'll be a free agent.
The timing of the release coincides with the Packers' opening of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.
Talent isn't the concern with the 28-year-old corner. When healthy, the 2018 first-round pick is one of the stickiest cover men in the NFL. That ability led to the Packers inking Alexander to a four-year, $84 million contract in 2022. The issue is health.
Over the past two years, Alexander has played in just 14 total regular-season games due to a litany of injuries, including to his groin, back, shoulder and knee. He missed the Packers' final eight games of 2024, including their Wild Card Round loss to the Eagles.
Packers president Mark Murphy told Dave Schroeder of WBAY on Monday that moving on from Alexander ultimately came down to availability.
“Well, first of all, he’s been a great player for us,” Murphy said. “Obviously, elite talent and you know unfortunately just injured a lot. It’s kind of unfortunate that’s a big part of the game.”
Given his skills, Alexander is sure to find another club willing to give him a shot. However, given the recent injury history, it likely will be well south of the $16.15 million in base salary he was set to earn from Green Bay this season.
The Packers anticipated the 2025 season sans Alexander, so the move does little to change the on-field situation. The Packers will move forward with Keisean Nixon, free-agent addition Nate Hobbs, Carrington Valentine, Kalen King and seventh-rounder Micah Robinson atop their cornerback depth chart.
Murphy said the team is confident in its ability to fill the hole created by Alexander's release, as they've had to play many games without their CB1 over the past two seasons.
“I feel pretty good,” Murphy said of the team absorbing Alexander’s departure. “I think Keisean Nixon, what a great story undrafted and an All-Pro returner. The reality is for the last four years for Jaire, it’s about half of the games that he’s been able to play. So, we kind of have been used to it.”