Green Bay Packers

Will Jaire Alexander Be A Packer In 2025?

Photo Credit: Mark Hofffman via Imagn Images

On Wednesday, Matt LaFleur delivered news no Green Bay Packers fan wanted to hear.

“I would expect JA (Jaire Alexander) to be out for the rest of the year,” LaFleur said. “It’s unfortunate. He worked hard to get his knee right, but it wasn’t improving. It’s a tough situation for all of us.”

According to Adam Schefter, Alexander underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on Tuesday to address pain and swelling. While his season is probably over, there’s a chance he could return for the Super Bowl.

After the Week 18 game against the Chicago Bears, Alexander will have missed 21 of Green Bay’s last 35 games and 35 of their previous 69. He tore his PCL in Week 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars and missed the following game against the Detroit Lions. Alexander only played 10 snaps in Green Bay’s Week 11 game in Chicago before re-aggravating the injury.

A shoulder injury cost him 13 games in 2021. He missed Green Bay’s matchup against the New England Patriots in 2022 due to a groin injury. In 2023, he missed three games with a back injury, six with a shoulder issue, and one due to a suspension for conduct detrimental to the team. Alexander missed 10 regular-season games this year and likely Green Bay’s playoff run.

Availability is one of the most important traits for any NFL player, and the Packers have seen enough over the past few seasons to know that relying on Alexander will be difficult moving forward.

Let it be clear: This is not his fault. There is no reason to believe that he’s choosing to miss games. Alexander tried to play through an injury that required surgery.

Only Green Bay knows the extent of Alexander’s injuries in recent seasons. Ultimately, they need to address their cornerback room this offseason. The depth behind Alexander is as thin as it could be and arguably the biggest liability on the defense.

With Alexander on the field this year, the Packers allowed a 61% completion rate and a 77.5 passer rating. Without him, those numbers rise to 70.7% and 95.3, respectively. While Green Bay ranks among the top four defenses in EPA/play and EPA/pass despite his absence for most of the season, their defense can only improve with him on the field.

Any movement involving Alexander would likely occur after June 1. If Green Bay cuts or trades him before then, they’d face over $18 million in dead money. However, if the move happens after June 1, the Packers would save $17.5 million against the cap.

Whether Alexander is with the Packers next year or not shouldn’t significantly impact Brian Gutekunst’s approach to the cornerback position in the offseason. According to Over the Cap, Green Bay has $15.508 million in available cap space, which can roll over into the 2025 league year.

With the 2025 salary cap estimated at $272.5 million, the Packers are projected to have $62.75 million in cap space. That figure could shift depending on re-signings, contract extensions, and free-agent moves. Additionally, Green Bay can free up more cap room if needed through contract restructures.

D.J. Reed and Paulson Adebo are two names the Packers could seriously consider in the offseason. Adebo is only 25 and has recorded seven pass breakups, three interceptions, and one touchdown allowed this year. The New Orleans Saints are in cap trouble and may be forced to let him hit free agency.

Reed is 28, eager to leave East Rutherford, and ready to make the most of his opportunities in free agency. “I’m ready to go to free agency, bro,” he said. “I’m ready to see what’s next for me.”

The Packers signed Xavier McKinney from the New York Giants, who have won two games this year, and it’s paying off. They could take a similar chance on Reed. If history is any indicator, Green Bay could land another All-Pro in the back end.

Given Gutekunst’s tendency to stockpile young talent at specific positions, Green Bay could potentially draft multiple cornerbacks in April. This might be the year the Packers heavily invest in the position.

Pro Bowl-caliber cornerbacks don’t grow on trees, and Green Bay must have serious discussions about Alexander’s future with the team. With lingering uncertainty about his ability to stay healthy, the Packers must prioritize improving the cornerback room. Should they move on from him, upgrading the position would become their top offseason priority.

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