The Green Bay Packers have been the youngest NFL team in the last two years, making the playoffs each time thanks in large part to the team’s draft-and-develop philosophy. Even with aspirations of competing for a Super Bowl next season, Green Bay is reportedly poised to move on from one of its best players.
For now, the team is in a great spot regarding the NFL salary cap. Even after signing guard Aaron Banks and cornerback Nate Hobbs, Green Bay has nearly $32 million in cap space right now. However, per OvertheCap.com, the team would have just $6.148 million of cap room in 2026.
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Jaire Alexander contract (Spotrac): $25.481 million cap hit in 2025
That’s an issue given the Packers’ free agents next year. Romeo Doubs, Rasheed Walker, Christian Watson, Devonta Wyatt, Malik Willis, Zach Tom and Quay Walker are all eligible for NFL free agency in 2026. Many of those young starters are integral to the team’s success and will likely land extensions within the next year.
It will require cap casualties, especially next offseason. For the time being, though, there have been lingering questions regarding All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander. NFL rumors surfaced ahead of free agency that the team was shopping him around the league but a deal never came to fruition. Now, more light has been shed on Alexander’s future in Green Bay.
According to ESPN‘s Rob Demovsky, the Packers front office is still attempting to trade Alexander ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. Green Bay has never approached him about a pay cut, which he reportedly wouldn’t accept, with the organization holding out hope of finding a trade partner.
Jaire Alexander stats (2023-’24): 100.83 QB rating allowed, 61.9% completion rate allowed, 5-2 TD-INT in 14 games played
However, per Demovsky, the Packers would likely release Alexander if they are unable to move him otherwise. Keeping him on the roster doesn’t seem to be an option, even with no guaranteed money left on his deal until the start of the regular season.
Alexander, age 28, earned All-Pro selection in 2020 and ’22 with Green Bay. However, the former first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft has only played 14 total games in the past two seasons. Unable to stay on the field, the Packers’ organization has become more frustrated with Alexander and is ready to move on from him.
Green Bay already has its succession plan in place at cornerback whenever Alexander is off the roster. Hobbs and Keisean Nixon are expected to be the starting corners on the outside next season. While it’s a significant gamble for two defensive backs who are largely unproven on the outside, Green Bay’s patience with Alexander has worn out and he’ll likely be released long before the summer.