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After months of speculation and drama, the Packers are finally moving on from Jaire Alexander. Green Bay is reportedly set to cut ties with their star cornerback following the June 1 deadline that makes the financial hit more manageable. While trade rumors persist before Monday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline, it’s looking more and more like Alexander will hit the open market.
The timing isn’t surprising. Packers CEO Mark Murphy turns 70 next month and will retire after a long run leading the franchise. This Alexander decision likely represents his final significant roster move – and Murphy seems ready to make it without hesitation.
Let’s be clear about one thing: when healthy, Alexander is elite. The problem? He’s rarely been available.
The Availability Issue
The numbers tell the story. Alexander has missed a whopping 34 games over the past four seasons – with 20 of those absences coming in just the last two years alone. Green Bay’s front office reportedly grew frustrated with his inability to stay on the field.
When approached by WBAY’s Dave Schroeder on Monday morning, Murphy confirmed the team’s decision to part ways with their cornerback.
“He has been a great player for us,” Murphy acknowledged. “Obviously, elite talent. Unfortunately, just injured a lot. Unfortunately that’s a big part of the game.”
Murphy’s initial comments seemed diplomatic enough.
Then came the dagger.
When asked about filling the void left by Alexander’s departure, Murphy didn’t just express confidence in the team’s depth – he twisted the knife with a cold assessment of Alexander’s reliability.
“The reality is for, like the last four years, Jaire’s…about half of the games he’s been able to play. So kinda…we’ve been used to it,” Murphy said bluntly.
Ouch.
That’s not just a parting comment – it’s a parting shot. Murphy essentially confirmed what many suspected: the organization grew tired of waiting for their highly-paid cornerback to consistently deliver on his contract. The Packers are clearly willing to risk Alexander potentially landing with a division rival (Vikings? Lions?) where he could face Green Bay twice a year.
The comments also raise questions about how other NFL teams will evaluate Alexander. His talent is undeniable, but Murphy’s public frustration about availability will surely factor into contract offers Alexander receives on the open market.
