Earlier this year, the Jacksonville Jaguars were heavily linked to cornerback Jaire Alexander. However, there was a massive roadblock. If the Jags wanted to acquire the two-time Pro Bowl nod, they would've had that to trade for him and compensate the Green Bay Packers. They ultimately passed on him and looked for other ways to upgrade their cornerback group. Fast forward to June, and he's now free to sign with any team he pleases after getting released.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media broke the news that the Packers released Alexander after failing to trade him. Not long after, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reported that, "they offered him a reduced, incentive-laden one-year deal that'd make him a free agent in 2026—Alexander turned it down, not liking the structure."
The Packers offered Jaire Alexander a reduced, incentive-laden one-year deal that'd make him a free agent in 2026—Alexander turned it down, not liking the structure. Green Bay tried to trade him in March, and during the draft.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 9, 2025
That also failed, so Alexander's a June free agent.
Breer then adds that Green Bay also made an attempt to trade Alexander in March, and after the draft. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reports the Buffalo Bills were among the teams potentially interested in getting a deal done for him.
Alexander was one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL before the Packers released him. His annual average of $21 million ranked fifth at the position. However, injuries severely diminished his availability in recent years, limiting him to 34 out of 64 possible games the last four seasons. Rightly, the Packers were feeling like they weren't getting enough bang for the buck.
Releasing the former first-round pick will create $17.11 million in cap space but will leave Green Bay with $7.5 million in dead money in 2025 and $9.5 million next year.
Should the Jaguars kick the tires on Jaire Alexander?
Jaire Alexander will most definitely garner interest from teams in need of cornerback help. The Jacksonville Jaguars already addressed the position by signing Jourdan Lewis in free agency and later drafting Travis Hunter. Couple that with the fact that Montaric Brown is having a strong offseason, and it looks like the Jags are set.
This begs the question: Would it make sense for Jacksonville to still kick the tires on Jaire Alexander even after revamping their cornerback room? Maybe. For starters, one of the reasons they were dubbed a fit remains the same.
The Jaguars hired Anthony Campanile as their defensive coordinator earlier this year. He was previously the linebackers coach and run game coordinator for the Packers. It was during his stint with the Packers that he got to know Alexander. While he wasn't his position coach, the two spent ample time together during defensive meetings.
With Hunter still learning the nuances of playing cornerback at the NFL level, the Jaguars could use depth at the position. Alexanders would check off that box.
Tyson Campbell, Jourdan Lewis, and Jarrian Jones should have featured roles early in the season. Hunter could be playing a handful of snaps, and Brown could be the primary backup. With Alexander in the mix, Jacksonville would have enviable depth.
The biggest issue is Alexander's availability or lack thereof, but the team's brass could offer him an incentive-laden deal. At this point, nobody will give him a top-market contract and will need to prove that he can stay healthy.
The bottom line is that Alexander is a pretty good when healthy, and it doesn't hurt the Jaguars to kick the tires on him. Worst-case scenario? He's not a fit. Best-case? They fortify a position that's already loaded with talent.