The future of Jaire Alexander with the Green Bay Packers is uncertain as a pivotal decision regarding an $8 million roster bonus looms, according to sources within the league as reported by ESPN. Alexander, the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, faced a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team after self-appointing as a captain in a recent game against the Carolina Panthers, participating in the coin flip. Despite missing the upcoming game against the Minnesota Vikings, Alexander is expected to return for the regular-season finale against the Chicago Bears.
The critical factor in the Packers’ decision-making process revolves around the $8 million bonus, which is due on March 20. The team must choose whether to retain Alexander by picking up the bonus or explore potential trade opportunities. However, the decision is complicated by other elements, such as Alexander’s absence from the team’s offseason program in Green Bay, his preference for workouts in Florida, and his injury history, having missed nine games in the current season.
Green Bay places importance on player participation in the offseason program, and Alexander’s decision to skip it resulted in forfeiting a $700,000 workout bonus last spring. Additionally, the cornerback missed games due to back and shoulder injuries during the current season. Coach Matt LaFleur acknowledged Alexander’s coin-toss incident as a “big mistake” but clarified that the suspension was unrelated to the player’s injuries preventing him from playing.
Despite signing a four-year, $84 million contract extension in May 2022, making him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history by average annual salary, some league sources criticize Alexander’s frequent inactivity and his behavior during the recent incident. The impending roster bonus deadline adds complexity to the decision, as cutting Alexander before March 20 would result in over $3 million in dead money against the Packers’ 2024 salary cap.
In the current season, Alexander, a two-time second-team All-Pro cornerback, has recorded four pass breakups but no interceptions in six games.
Leave a Reply