Throughout the 2025 NFL offseason, the Green Bay Packers have maintained a relatively low profile when it comes to making major roster moves or headline-grabbing acquisitions. With the majority of the team’s foundational players expected to return for the upcoming season, the Packers appear to be banking on continuity. However, despite the consistency in personnel, a cloud of uncertainty looms over the status of one of the team’s top defensive players—cornerback Jaire Alexander.
Since the conclusion of the previous season, trade rumors have surrounded Alexander. Reports suggest that Green Bay has actively explored potential deals to move the two-time Pro Bowler, but to date, those efforts have not yielded any concrete outcomes. Multiple elements are believed to be influencing the market—or lack thereof—for Alexander’s services, and a key factor that might be flying under the radar is his age and recent injury history.
Since the conclusion of the previous season, trade rumors have surrounded Alexander. Reports suggest that Green Bay has actively explored potential deals to move the two-time Pro Bowler, but to date, those efforts have not yielded any concrete outcomes. Multiple elements are believed to be influencing the market—or lack thereof—for Alexander’s services, and a key factor that might be flying under the radar is his age and recent injury history.
Alexander, a former standout at the University of Louisville, is 28 years old and is slated to turn 29 this coming February. While this age does not necessarily signify the end of a player’s prime, it is often considered the beginning of the decline phase for athletes at positions requiring elite athleticism, such as cornerback. The wear and tear of an NFL career can take a significant toll, especially for someone who has had multiple stints on the injured list.
In Alexander’s case, health concerns are far from speculative. Over the past four seasons, he has been limited to seven or fewer games in three of them, missing time due to various knee and shoulder injuries. Such a pattern raises legitimate concerns for teams that might be interested in acquiring him. In the NFL, availability is often just as important as ability, and repeated injuries can severely hamper a player’s reliability and longevity.
Complicating matters further is Alexander’s contract. He is set to earn $24 million during the 2025 season, followed by a projected salary of $27 million in 2026. For any team considering taking him on via trade, this financial commitment is significant, especially when tied to a player with a checkered injury history and who is approaching his 30s. These salary cap implications can serve as a strong deterrent for teams already navigating tight budgets or seeking younger, more cost-effective options.
Looking around the league, the current crop of elite cornerbacks is notably younger and healthier than Alexander. Players such as Sauce Gardner (24), Patrick Surtain II (24), Trent McDuffie (24), and Jaylon Johnson (25) are not only playing at a high level but also have youth on their side. Jalen Ramsey, who is closer in age to Alexander at 30 years old, stands as an exception; however, Ramsey has managed to avoid frequent injury setbacks, giving him greater trade value and a more favorable long-term outlook.
Unfortunately for Alexander, the comparison does not work in his favor. Unlike Ramsey, Alexander’s injuries have been more than occasional setbacks—they’ve significantly reduced his on-field presence. As a result, teams are understandably hesitant to part with multiple assets in exchange for a player with a risky health profile and a hefty price tag. The modern NFL places a premium on younger, durable players who can be building blocks for the future. That is a mold Alexander no longer fits quite as well.
This predicament has left Green Bay in a difficult position. The team might be inclined to move Alexander to free up cap space and possibly reallocate resources elsewhere, but the trade market has yet to present a suitable suitor. There’s also the issue of value: The Packers likely want a return that reflects Alexander’s talent and impact when healthy, but other franchises are wary of the baggage—namely, his age, injuries, and contract.
One possible path forward could involve reworking Alexander’s deal to make him more appealing to potential trade partners. By converting some of his salary into performance-based incentives or offering to cover a portion of his 2025 compensation, the Packers could increase interest and facilitate a trade. Alternatively, the team could choose to retain him for another year in hopes of a bounce-back season that boosts his market value.
Another consideration is the locker room dynamic. Alexander is not just any player; he’s been a vocal leader and one of the faces of the Packers’ defense. Trading him would have implications beyond the field. It could affect team morale, shift the defensive identity, and alter the mentorship dynamic for younger players in the secondary. All of these factors must be weighed carefully by the Packers’ front office.
It’s also important to consider the current state of the Packers’ secondary. If the team parts ways with Alexander, they will need to ensure that adequate depth and talent remain in the defensive backfield. While promising players exist on the roster, none have proven themselves to be capable of replacing Alexander’s production at his peak. That leaves another potential hole to fill—either through the draft or free agency.
As the offseason continues, the situation surrounding Jaire Alexander remains one of the most intriguing storylines for the Packers. It’s a complex equation involving age, health, finances, and team culture. While nothing has moved on the trade front so far, that could change quickly if circumstances shift—such as an injury elsewhere in the league, a team becoming desperate for help in the secondary, or a reevaluation of internal needs by Green Bay.
Until then, speculation will continue to swirl. Packers fans, analysts, and NFL insiders alike will be watching closely to see how this saga unfolds. Whether Alexander stays in Green Bay for the long haul, becomes a trade chip, or lands somewhere else via a restructured deal, his future will undoubtedly have significant ramifications for both the team and the league at large.
In summary, Jaire Alexander’s uncertain status encapsulates the challenges NFL teams face when trying to balance talent, health, and financial constraints. He remains a highly skilled player, but questions surrounding his durability and cost have cast a shadow over what once seemed like an untouchable tenure in Green Bay. What the future holds for him—and how the Packers navigate this pivotal decision—will be among the defining storylines of their 2025 offseason.
