Nas Nfl Friday 004
The NFC North is filled with intriguing storylines. Chicago enters the season with a brand-new head coach and a quarterback who reportedly wanted to play for the Vikings. The Lions lost both play-callers, and the Vikings swapped quarterbacks. Green Bay doesn’t have that much change, but one more move could happen soon.
Vikings Named Landing Spot for Disgruntled Rival Defender
Star defender Jaire Alexander has been rumored to be on the chopping block all offseason. After a season in which he only appeared in seven games, the Packers might be done with their expensive defender.
CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin named four landing spots: Commanders, Falcons, Raiders, and Vikings.
He wrote: “All offseason, the Green Bay Packers have publicly anticipated a breakup with Alexander, who’s simultaneously been one of the NFL’s best — and most injured — cover men. Both sides hinted at a split in free agency, either via trade or release. Now the Packers apparently have a new contract offer on the table, but if the Pro Bowler doesn’t bite at a pay cut, Green Bay could save $17 million by cutting or trading the cornerback after June 1. That’s an increase of $9.5 million from prior to June 1.”
The Packers could easily say goodbye, and the Vikings could use another cornerback.
Still, Alexander reportedly has a new contract offer on the table. Matt Schneidman, The Athletic, reported last week: “According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the Packers have proposed a restructured contract to Alexander, which tangibly demonstrates their interest in retaining the two-time All-Pro cornerback during an offseason in which they have been open to trading him.”
Alexander, 28 years old, was a 2018 first-rounder. He has played all 78 career games for the green NFC North rivals.
Schneidman added: “If the Packers release Alexander before June 1, they would free up about $7.6 million in cap space for 2025, according to OTC. If they do so after June 1, they would free up about $17.1 million. The Packers aren’t strapped for cap, though, ranking 10th in the NFL with about $28.9 million in cap space.”
Ultimately, it boils down to whether the veteran will accept a pay cut or not. It seems like Green Bay would like to keep him, but not on the current deal.
Alexander has been one of the premier cornerbacks in football. His PFF resume is impressive.
- 2018: 72.4 (30th/112 eligible CBs)
- 2019: 71.9 (23rd/116)
- 2020: 90.7 (1st/121)
- 2021: 73.4
- 2022: 80.3 (8th/118)
- 2023: 75.9 (22nd/127)
- 2024: 75.2 (19th/116)
Alexander was not eligible for the rankings in 2021 because a shoulder injury shortened his season. Knee problems bugged him in 2024. He logged only seven games in each of the last two seasons and was limited to four in 2021. In both of his last two healthy seasons, in 2020 and 2022, he went to the Pro Bowl.
At this point, all options are on the table. The Vikings have made moves for released Packers in the past, and they have added various previously injured players under this regime.
Injuries and money aside, Alexander would be a massive get for a team that has only one experienced and proven cornerback on the team in Byron Murphy Jr. Isaiah Rodgers joined from the Super Bowl winners, but he has never played more than half the snaps in a given season.
Mekhi Blackmon returns from a torn ACL and showed promise in 2023, but despite his age of 26, he is pretty much unproven. Jeff Okudah has played a significant number of snaps in his career, but mostly at a below-average level.
It wouldn’t be shocking to end up seeing the Vikings jump on the opportunity, but the Packers would have to release Alexander first, and then he’d still have to take a pay cut. At this point, it’s a fun speculation item, but should still be treated like a long shot. Alexander is scheduled to face Justin Jefferson twice in the upcoming season.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.
