Jaire Alexander has worn a host of different colors in his career. However, he's best remembered for his seven-year stint with the Packers.
The Eagles cornerback was one of the league's best defenders while outfitted in green and gold. Alexander nabbed spots on the All-Pro second-team on two occasions with Green Bay (2020, 2022). He faced a fair few struggles with injuries. But when he was healthy, he performed admirably.
The Packers rewarded him handsomely for his displays, making the lanky defender one of the highest-paid defensive backs in league history in 2023. But less than two years later, Alexander was out the door, the highest-profile victim of a salary cap cull.
So, just why did Green Bay opt to let go of its shutdown cornerback? Here's what you need to know.
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Why did Packers cut Jaire Alexander?
Green Bay opted to move on from its franchise cornerback in the 2025 offseason, waiving him after failing to find an adequate trade partner.
A two-time Pro Bowler, Alexander became the league's highest-paid cornerback when he inked a four-year, $84 million extension upon the conclusion of his rookie deal. He had two more years on his contract when he was released and appeared to be his prime years. However, injuries took their toll — Alexander played in just 14 of a possible 34 regular-season games across his final two years in Green Bay.
The prospect of shelling out $42 million to a player as plagued with injuries as Alexander wasn't an enticing one for Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst. In the end, the Packers front office felt a post-June 1 release was the best way to create cap flexibility to improve the roster. Green Bay is on the hook for $17.04 million in dead cap money, but that's split over the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
There was reportedly interest in restructuring Alexander's contract, according to ESPN's Rob Demovsky. Nevertheless, the parties couldn't find a middle ground, facilitating Alexander's departure.
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Jaire Alexander's Packers suspension
Alexander was largely successful during his time in Green Bay. But his tenure wasn't without controversy. In addition to his niggling injuries, Alexander was also dealt a one-game suspension for violating the team's conduct policy in 2023.
The punishment was related to Alexander's decision to anoint himself team captain — and nearly botch a pregame coin toss — when the Packers took on the Panthers in Week 16.
Alexander, a Mint Hill, North Carolina native, returned to action for the first time in six weeks when Green Bay traveled to Carolina. He wasn't included in the Packers' designated list of captains for the day. But he strode onto the field before kickoff, doing so because he wanted to represent his hometown.
Green Bay won the toss. When the officials asked the Packers what they wanted to do, Alexander spoke up, saying Green Bay wanted its defense on the field first. What he meant was that the Packers wanted to defer the opportunity to choose, setting them up to have possession first in the second half.
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But Alexander's awkward wording implied Green Bay wanted to choose to be on defense first. That would've ensured the Panthers retain their right to choose, meaning Carolina would get the ball first in both the first and second half.
Head coach Matt LaFleur had already alerted the refereeing crew that the Packers would defer if they won the coin toss. The crew honored LaFleur's message, allowing Green Bay to defer and receive the ball first in the second.
LaFleur and Co. Were incensed with Alexander's actions. The veteran corner was issued a one-game ban, with LaFleur implying that it was the tipping-point incident in a season filled with frustrations with Alexander's antics.
"It's never for one thing," LaFleur said, per the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
The Packers won the game, 33-30. Alexander returned to action in Week 18. Green Bay won each of its last two games to clinch a postseason berth.
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Jaire Alexander NFL draft
The Packers selected Alexander with the No. 18 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. A Louisville alum, Alexander was the second defensive back and first cornerback taken.