Packers Cut Two-Time All-Pro Cornerback Jaire Alexander

Alexander struggled with injuries the past two seasons, playing just seven games in each.

Jaire Alexander of the Packers prior to a game against the Arizona Cardinals at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis., on Oct. 13, 2024. Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

The Green Bay Packers are moving on from Jaire Alexander.

The Packers announced Monday that they had released the two-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro after seven seasons. Alexander has had a reputation as one of the top players at his position, but injuries have dogged him the past two seasons. Green Bay will absorb $17 million in dead cap over the next two years but save more than $34 million in cap space.

“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,” general manager Brian Gutekunst said in a statement on the team website. “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.”

The Packers drafted Alexander out of Louisville with the 18th pick in the 2018 draft. He played in 13 games as a rookie, recording 66 tackles and half a sack, with 11 passes defended, an interception, and two fumble recoveries. He played in 16 games in 2019 and had 58 tackles, 17 pass defenses (his career high), two interceptions, a forced fumble and a recovery. He followed that season with 51 tackles, a sack, a safety, 13 passes defended, a pick, and a forced fumble in 2020.

Injuries began to crop up in 2021. He played just four games due to a shoulder injury, and missed the final game of the regular season due to being placed on the COVID-19 list. He returned to playing full-time in 2022, playing 16 games and notching 56 tackles, 14 pass defenses, and a career-high five interceptions. But injuries derailed him again in 2023, when he played just seven games. He missed three games due to a back injury and six games with a shoulder injury; he was also suspended for conduct detrimental to the team after botching the coin toss despite not being a team captain.

Alexander played just seven games again in 2024. He missed two weeks with a quad injury, then suffered a PCL injury that caused him to miss one week and play just 10 snaps the following week. He missed the final seven games of the season due to swelling in his injured knee. However, he scored his first career pick-six in a Week 3 win against the Tennessee Titans.

Alexander won Second-Team All-Pro selections in 2020 and 2022, and was named to the Pro Bowl in both those years as well.

Packers team president Mark Murphy told WBAY reporter Dave Schroeder that Alexander’s inability to stay on the field led to his release.

“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 our game.

“The reality is, for like the last four years, Jaire, it’s about half of the games he’s been able to play, so we’ve been used to it,” he added.

According to Spotrac, Green Bay will eat a dead cap hit of $7.5 million this season, while saving $17.1 million in salary cap space; next year, the team will carry a $9.5 million dead cap hit, while saving $17.5 million in cap.

Without Alexander, the Packers will turn to 2025 free agent acquisition Nate Hobbs; Keisean Nixon, a two-time All-Pro as a return specialist who had a breakout season in 2024 with career highs in nearly every defensive category; and 2024 second-round pick Javon Bullard. Green Bay has Kalen King, Carrington Valentine, Micah Robinson, Isaiah Dunn, Kahzir Brown, Kamal Hadden, Tyron Herring, Gregory Junior, and Jonathan Baldwin on the depth chart as well.

The Packers had previously sought to trade Alexander before cutting him. Now he is the headliner of a decorated free agent cornerback class that includes Super Bowl champions James Bradberry, Kendall Fuller, Rasul Douglas, and Jalen Mills; five-time Pro Bowler and 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore; and former first-round pick C.J. Henderson. Miami Dolphins corner Jalen Ramsey is also on the trading block.