The Green Bay Packers are 11-4 and headed to the playoffs. Regardless of how they end the season, they will have some big decisions to make this offseason.
One key decision facing the Packers will be the future of Jaire Alexander. Alexander has struggled to stay on the field with injuries and will be entering the third year of his four-year, $84 million extension he signed in 2022.
Alexander was the Packers’ first-round pick in the 2018 NFL draft. He is a two-time Pro Bowler and a two-time Second Team All-Pro. However, this season he has played in just seven games. In 2022 he played 16 games. In the last four seasons, he has missed 34 games in the last four seasons.
The decision will be a tough one as Alexander is one of the best defensive backs in the league when he’s on the field. He was off to a strong start this season as well. He will have a $25 million cap hit next season. The Packers could save $7 million by trading or cutting the star.
The Packers’ secondary has been good with the additions of Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams and Javon Bullard. However, they seem thin at corner. Carrington Valentine and Keisean Nixon do not seem like they can handle being the No. 1 corner if they cut ties with Alexander. They would be relying on the draft and free agency to land a shutdown corner.
Perhaps the most likely, and best, option would be to restructure Alexander’s deal.
More NFL: Packers receive good news; avoid major injury scare with Christian Watson
Read the full article here
