GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers have released star cornerback Jaire Alexander after two seasons filled with injuries. This move ends a long offseason where both sides tried to work out a deal but couldn't agree.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst praised Alexander for his time with the team, saying:

“Jaire was one of the best players at one of the toughest positions in football. He made a big impact on the field, in the locker room, and in the community. He will be missed, and we wish him the best.”

Alexander had planned to return for the team's mandatory minicamp on Tuesday, even though he skipped all of the team’s optional workouts earlier this offseason.

In the past two seasons, Alexander only played in seven games each year. He didn’t play at all after November 17 last season, even though he practiced off and on. He was later placed on injured reserve and had surgery for a torn PCL in his knee. Despite that, he still had the second-most pass breakups (7) and tied for second in interceptions (2) on the team.

The year before, shoulder and knee injuries — along with a one-game suspension — also limited him to just seven games.

Packers president Mark Murphy said:

“In the last four years, Jaire has only been able to play about half the games. So we’ve kind of gotten used to that.”

Alexander was picked in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He still had two years left on his four-year, $84 million contract, which once made him the highest-paid cornerback in the league. By releasing him, the Packers will save more than $17 million in salary cap space this season.

Alexander was an All-Pro in 2020 and 2022, but since 2021, he only played in 34 out of a possible 68 games due to injuries — including a serious shoulder injury that limited him to just four games in 2021.

After the 2024 season, some people inside the team privately said they were tired of always wondering whether Alexander would be healthy enough or willing to play if he wasn’t 100%.

Gutekunst said earlier:

“It’s been very frustrating for Jaire and for us. He’s a great player, but when he can’t play regularly, it’s hard for everyone.”

The Packers even considered trading Alexander and tried to adjust his contract recently, according to ESPN. But they couldn’t reach an agreement. He was supposed to earn $17.5 million this season, but none of that money was guaranteed.

After the last game of the 2024 season, Alexander didn’t talk to reporters and simply said he had "nothing good to say" and wasn’t sure if he’d return in 2025 — suggesting he already knew his time in Green Bay might be over.


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