Ranking Jaire Alexander's Top Landing Spots After Packers Release Star CB

When healthy, Jaire Alexander is one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL. The eighth-year pro has been named to a pair of Pro Bowls, and last year the 28-year-old allowed a passer rating against of less than 90 for the fifth time in seven years. Alexander also has 12 career interceptions.

However, that “when healthy” caveat has been a major one with Alexander—he has missed 10 games in each of the past two seasons, and the last time Alexander played every game in a season was 2019.

That injury history and an average annual salary over $21 million was a bridge too far for the Packers. After failing to agree on a restructured contract, Alexander was released Monday, with Packers president Mark Murphy telling Dave Schroeder of WBAY that it was simply a matter of availability.

"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 the game."

There will be no shortage of interest in a player who has shown elite upside when healthy.

And the teams listed here should be among the first to pick up the phone.

6. Miami Dolphins

AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

It might seem a little odd at first to see the Miami Dolphins listed here. After all, the Dolphins have been actively trying to shop star cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

But the Dolphins arguably have a need at cornerback even with Ramsey on the roster. If the team is able to find a trading partner for Ramsey, that need becomes all the more pronounced—Miami’s starters at the position would be Storm Duck, Kader Kohou and Jason Marshall Jr.

A Murderer’s Row of defensive backs, that isn’t. And it makes pursuing Alexander a no-brainer in the opinion of Cameron Elliss of Phin Phanatic.

“Broadly speaking,” he said, “the decision isn't complicated: bring in Alexander, let him handle half the field/the other team's WR1, and figure the rest out. It's not the worst idea you'll see this year (if you don't believe me, consider that the Colts are probably going to start Daniel Jones). And because the Packers released Alexander, he won't come with the huge price tag that his contract would have otherwise required. So, the Dolphins are free to try and justify signing an older, expensive corner once again!”

With head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier entering a critical season, the Dolphins have to do something about their who’s who of “who?” at cornerback.

5. San Francisco 49ers

AP Photo/Brynn Anderson

The San Francisco 49ers spent a big chunk of the offseason watching veteran talent depart the team. Now, as Jared Dubin wrote for CBS Sports, it may be time to reverse course and make a veteran addition in Alexander.

“The Niners lost Charvarius Ward in free agency this offseason, and currently seem likely to start either journeyman Tre Brown or third-round pick Upton Stout opposite Deommodore Lenoir at one of their corner spots,” he said. “Bringing in another veteran -- even one with injury issues -- is an idea that has some merit, especially considering how much cap room the 49ers have on their hands. According to Over the Cap, only the Patriots have more cap space than the Niners' current $46.6 million in room.”

Despite the departures of veterans like linebacker Dre Greenlaw, safety Talanoa Hufanga and Ward, the 49ers have given no indication they are rebuilding. They seem to fashion themselves as contenders in the NFC West this season.

Adding Alexander could make those aspirations considerably more plausible.

4. Buffalo Bills

AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

The Packers spent a chunk of the offseason attempting to trade Alexander before eventually releasing him. Per Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, the Buffalo Bills were one of the interested parties—and could be again.

"The Packers and Bills held trade talks this offseason centered around Alexander, but talks ultimately fell through and Buffalo moved on,” Schultz wrote on X. “It’s unclear if the Bills will revisit things now that Alexander has been released — especially since they spent a first-round pick on Maxwell Hairston — but they were a team that had shown real interest.”

The Bills don’t have an especially pressing need at cornerback with Hairston joining Christian Benford and Taron Johnson in Western New York. But it’s no secret that the Bills have aspirations of playing in Super Bowl LX and Alexander would give them a more proven option on the boundary.

If the Bills were interested in Alexander before, it makes sense that they would be again. But making the money work could be tricky—per Over the Cap, the Bills are dead last in the league in cap space with just $1.7 million.

3. Baltimore Ravens

AP Photo/Mike Roemer

The Baltimore Ravens are one of the AFC’s top Super Bowl contenders. They also have a pretty clear need in the secondary—only the Jacksonville Jaguars allowed more passing yards per game in 2024.

Cale Ahearn of Fox 45 News wrote that given those deficiencies, it makes sense for the Ravens to kick the tires on adding Alexander.

“In theory, the cap space is there for an Alexander addition,” Ahearn said. There could be room in the Ravens' secondary, as well. Outside of starters Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins, Baltimore stands to suit up a handful of young corners looking to make their mark in the NFL, as well as a couple of veterans who have served in reserve roles throughout their careers. An Alexander addition could allow the Ravens to play one of their starters as a third corner in nickel and dime formations, and set the team up to possibly allow their top defender to follow a team's top receiver around the field.”

Bringing in Alexander would allow the Ravens to leave Humphrey in the slot, which is his more natural position. And if Alexander can stay on the field, Baltimore’s biggest defensive weakness could become a strength.

2. Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Matt Rourke

After winning 14 games a year ago, the Minnesota Vikings have big-time aspirations in 2025. But the team also has a glaring need on defense—the Vikes were 28th in the NFL against the pass last year.

As FanSided’s Scott Rogust pointed out, it wouldn’t be the first time that Minnesota bolstered its squad by adding a veteran from its NFC North rivals.

“The Vikings know a thing or two about bringing in former Packers stars,” he said. “In 2009, the Vikings brought in quarterback Brett Favre, who led the team to the NFC Championship Game that season. Then, last season, the Vikings signed running back Aaron Jones, who ran for 1,138 yards and five touchdowns on 255 carries.”

Minnesota’s offense is loaded with talent, even if young quarterback J.J. McCarthy is something of an unproven commodity. The team’s defensive front is absolutely stacked with edge-rushers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard and interior linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. But the cornerbacks are a different story—once you get past Byron Murphy Jr., the questions start adding up quickly.

In theory, a healthy Alexander would answer one of those questions. And with $18.5 million in cap space, the Vikes have the wiggle room to pluck yet another Packer off the proverbial scrap heap.

1. Philadelphia Eagles

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

The rich get richer.

The Philadelphia Eagles are the defending Super Bowl champions. They also led the NFL in pass defense a year ago, surrendering just 174.2 yards per game through the air in 2024.

However, that defense lost some veterans in the offseason when Darius Slay and Isaiah Rodgers departed. There’s young talent in the City of Brotherly Love in Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, but Geoffrey Knox of Eagles Wire wrote that the Eagles could still stand to benefit from adding a veteran presence in the secondary.

“Some might argue that the Eagles still need help at edge-rusher, and that might be their most significant need,” he said. “Others might be inclined to say another veteran should be added to this battle for a starting outside corner. Darius Slay's presence did wonders for Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean in year one. Both could still benefit from having a proven vet to lean on.”

It's a classic Howie Roseman move—wait for a veteran in an area of need to be released, and then swoop him and sign him to a relatively reasonable short-term deal.

Playing for the defending champs should have some allure for Alexander, as well.