When a team loses an All-Pro calibre player, the expectation is to rebuild for a brighter future. But that isn’t on the cards for the Green Bay Packers following the release of two-time All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander. With Green Bay eyeing a Super Bowl run, releasing a player of this level raises questions. Especially considering the state of their DB room. Once the face of the Packers’ secondary, Alexander’s exit leaves a glaring hole in Jeff Hafley’s defense, but also opens an intriguing corridor for the future.
The Financial Fallout
The new path will be funded healthily, as upon Alexander’s release, the Packers freed up $17.1 million in cap space (according to Over The Cap) – the third biggest in the NFL. Where those funds will be allocated is yet to be seen, but GM Brian Gutekunst believes his team should be competing for a Super Bowl in 2025 with or without Jaire Alexander.
“Over the last four years, there’s been a lot of games missed,” said Gutekunst a day after releasing the 28-year-old cornerback. “I just think for what that amount of money is, I think that’s a lot to pay for a guy who hasn’t been able to get on the field. Again, it’s not his fault. It’s just something that kind of transpired, so we just kind of were looking for something different.”
In March 2022 the Packers made Alexander the highest paid cornerback in NFL history at the time, penning a four-year $84 million extension. Alexander went on to miss at least 10 games during three of the last four seasons and has appeared in only 14 of a possible 34 regular season games since 2023. His 2025 cap number would’ve been almost $25 million, the third highest on the team behind Jordan Love and Rashan Gary.
Factor in the tight financial situation with Alexander’s age of 28 and Gutekunst’s desire to compete for a Super Bowl, and we begin to see Green Bay’s angle. The Packers were open to the possibility of trading Alexander this offseason, but nothing materialized. They also offered him a new contract, but the two sides couldn’t agree on a deal. So, the Packers parted ways with one of the franchise’s premium assets from the last ten years.
A Shift in Secondary Leadership
The decision has left them in a unique position. For the first time in years, the Packers are without a clear cut number one corner on the team. Keisean Nixon, free agent signing Nate Hobbs and third-year corner Carrington Valentine are the frontrunners to play CB1 as of now. During minicamp 26-year-old wide receiver Bo Melton has taken reps defending passes, but it’s unclear whether he will make that role permanent.
Despite Green Bay’s secondary being used to playing without Alexander in recent years, his absences were apparent. Over the last two seasons, the Packers were 10-4 with Alexander and 10-10 without him. Opposing quarterbacks saw a 4% rise in completion percentage and posted a higher passer rating without Alexander on the field. The numbers make for confusing viewing given the number of chances the Packers have had to adequately replace the All-Pro corner.
It took until the 7th round of the 2025 NFL draft for Green Bay to pick a corner, taking two receivers, two edges, an offensive tackle and a defensive tackle ahead of Tulane CB Micah Robinson. With Alexander’s status still uncertain at the time of the draft, the Packers’ selections reflected a different set of priorities.
This offseason the Packers signed Hobbs to a four-year, $48 million deal. Given the financial commitment they’ve given to the corner, it’s certain he’ll be one of the starting boundary defenders this season.
Who Steps Up Now?
Nixon and Valentine will compete for the other outside corner role, barring a surprise camp standout. Nixon had a career year in 2024 with 7 pass deflections and a 57.5% completion rate allowed, but he’ll need to take another leap to help replace Alexander.
As for Valentine, a 2023 seventh-round pick, he started 7 of the 15 games appeared in during the 2024 campaign. The sophomore allowed quarterbacks to complete 76.7% of their targets against him as well as allowing an 80.1 passer rating.
Safeties Providing Hope
Although the cornerback position is at a crossroad, Green Bay’s safety group is lined up to make the transition easier. Headlined by 2024 free agent signing Xavier McKinney, the group was one of the most effective in the NFL. Mckinney himself recorded the most interceptions for a Packer since 2009 (8) as well as 85 total tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack.
Rookie Evan Williams recorded 49 tackles, one forced fumble and one interception in only 13 games last season. Williams was hailed for his intelligence throughout the season, with defensive backs coach Ryan Downard saying: “I think he has a weapon in his brain with how smart he is and how aware he is. That accelerates your ability to play early in this league because you can grasp the concepts and what we’re trying to get done.”
The development of Williams should aid the hole left by Alexander’s departure, even if it isn’t directly. Combine his development with the star power of McKinney, and life for the secondary overall is a lot easier.
Cap Space & Potential Replacements
The Packers do also have the option of directly replacing Alexander. According to Over The Cap, they currently have around $29 million in available cap space, more than enough to pay for a corner in the current market.
One of the premium options is Jalen Ramsey, who is still looking for a trade partner after missing mandatory minicamp. From a purely football standpoint, Ramsey would be the most talented player that is known to be available right now.
In 17 games last season, Ramsey had two interceptions, 11 pass breakups and gave up a 62.2% completion rate as a number 1 corner. But the Packers would have to be happy taking on Ramsey’s $72.3 million contract that has a $16.6 million cap hit for the 2025 season.
Another possible option is Stephon Gilmore, who remains a free agent as of now. The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year is still capable entering his 14th season. But whether he is capable enough to complement the Packers current cornerback room is an unanswered question.
Last season with the Vikings, Gilmore had 9 pass breakups in 15 games but allowed a career-high 94.1 passer rating. He’s not a direct Alexander replacement but offers experienced depth.
A reunion with Rasul Douglas is also on the cards. After two years in Buffalo, the former Packer brings familiarity with Matt LaFleur and is a known presence in the organization. He started 28 games for Green Bay between 2021 and 2023, registering 32 pass breakups and ten interceptions.
The 30-year-old struggled with the Bills, allowing a 122.0 passer rating, per PFF. Douglas would be a valuable depth option, but not one that will change the face of the cornerback room.
A Defining Season Ahead
Green Bay’s secondary is in a defining moment. Young talents stepping into bigger roles and the possibility of major incomings, the path forward is uncertain. One thing that GM Gutekunst has been certain about is his team competing for a Super Bowl. If the Packers are serious contenders, their revamped secondary must prove itself without Alexander — starting in Week One.
