In NFL news, the Green Bay Packers have released star cornerback Jaire Alexander, according to Ian Rapoport.

This move comes with minicamp on the horizon and after an offseason of uncertainty around Alexander’s future with the Packers.

Advertisement

Rapoport would add that the Packers and Alexander agreed to explore a potential trade earlier this offseason. However, when nothing materialized, a restructured contract was also discussed, but the two sides couldn’t agree to terms.

When on the field, Alexander has played at a high level. He was an All-Pro during the 2020 and 2022 seasons. Last year, in seven games, he allowed a completion rate of just 56% with three pass breakups and a pick-six, according to PFF.

Unfortunately, Alexander has had to navigate injuries in recent seasons as well. He has appeared in only seven games in each of the last two seasons, and has played in just 34 out of a possible 68 games since 2021.

Advertisement

Now a free agent, Alexander is able to choose where he signs and will get a new deal. My guess is that, with his recent injury history, it’s more of a short-term contract that he signs.

From the Colts‘ perspective, could they take a swing on adding Jaire Alexander?

Salary cap-wise, with $20.13 million in available space, Indianapolis likely has the room to make this addition, on what I would guess is a shorter-term deal for Alexander, who would immediately slot in as the starting cornerback opposite of Charvarius Ward.

With Alexander’s ability to play on an island, he would be a very good fit schematically for what Lou Anarumo wants to do on defense.

Advertisement

With that said, this is already a position group that GM Chris Ballard has added to fairly heavily this offseason. Adding Alexander to the cornerback room also takes away any sort of competition that could unfold this summer between Jaylon Jones, JuJu Brents, and Justin Walley, with all three immediately relegated to backup roles in this scenario.

For players who need reps, this could then elongate the learning curve that every young player experiences when entering the NFL. Leaning into that competition element feels like the direction the Colts would prefer to go, especially with already having added Ward to the mix.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL news roundup: Jaire Alexander released by Green Bay Packers