On Monday afternoon, the Green Bay Packers released two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander. Unable to come to terms on a compromise for the final two years and $37 million of their contract, the two sides officially parted ways right before the start of the team’s mandatory minicamp.

Also set to begin their minicamp on Tuesday are the Carolina Panthers, who could be willing to pick up the piece the Packers just left behind. But would signing Alexander make much sense in this current timeline?

Well, it does on the depth chart, where the Panthers are still painfully thin at the outside cornerback position. Behind starters Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson sit Shemar Bartholomew and Akayleb Evans—who have four seasons of NFL experience between them—and three undrafted rookies.

Heck, Horn and Jackson aren’t exactly sure things either. The former has missed 31 of a possible 68 career games due to injuries while the latter is still trying to establish himself as a bonafide No. 2 in the secondary.

Although the Panthers seem comfortable in moving forward with that tandem, teaming up Alexander with his fellow Pro Bowler in Horn suddenly gives them one of the best cornerback pairings in the NFL. The addition would also bump Jackson into a backup role, immediately strengthening that questionable depth.

The prospect of signing Alexander, however, gets a little more complicated in the numbers game.

For one, he presumably won’t be looking to sign for cheap. Carolina has approximately $18 million in salary cap space, which ranks in the bottom half in the league and behind other potential suitors (some Super Bowl contenders) such as the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Las Vegas Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Plus, Alexander hasn’t exactly been the most durable player in recent seasons. Due to numerous injuries, he was limited to 37 of Green Bay’s 72 games (including postseason) between the 2021 and 2024 campaigns—so he’s not the sure presence the Panthers need either.

What he could be, though, is a potential mercenary.

Yes, the term “mercenary” in sports is often reserved for teams in a championship window. And Carolina, obviously, is still trying to push that damn thing open.

But now, especially in the current state of the NFC South, it may not be crazy to think that the Panthers could accomplish their goal of stealing the division in 2025. They can also offer Alexander, who lived most of his youth in the Charlotte area, something no other team can—home.

Inking the 28-year-old Alexander to an expensive long-term pact doesn’t feel like it should be in the realm of possibility for the young and upcoming Panthers roster. Instead, Carolina might want to consider a one-year trial run.

Prior to his release, Alexander was taking in an annual average salary of $21 million—the fifth-highest amongst all cornerbacks. And he probably won’t be very close to that number on his next agreement, considering the Packers—who have a good amount of cap space and real playoff hopes—weren’t willing to continue at that price.

If the Panthers can set aside about $14 million to $16 million for 2025, or even adjust an existing contract or two to make some space, then they may be able to sell Alexander on returning to his old stomping grounds for a prove-it deal. He can help catapult Carolina into contention while setting himself up for a more secure payday for 2026 and beyond.

With the doubts surrounding his availability, Alexander may not end up finding that final big-time offer on the open market this summer. But he could find an intriguing opportunity, one that has the potential to be mutually beneficial for himself and his hometown team.

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