The Green Bay Packers have made their decision on Jaire Alexander, but the star cornerback isn’t cooperating. The Packers have been hinting at making a move with Alexander since the February’s combine.
During the annual league meeting in March, general manager Brian Gutekunst said there was a possibility Alexander would return to play in 2025, but if he didn’t, the Packers want something back.
“We invested a lot in Jaire and want to make sure, if he’s not gonna be on our football team helping us win games, that we get something back for that investment,” Gutekunst said. “So we’ll see where it goes, but again, working with (Thornton) weekly and trying to figure out what’s best for both Jaire and the Packers.”
Jaire Alexander is sabotaging the Green Bay Packers in trade talks
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Per Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Packers have received interest for Alexander, but he refuses to cut his salary to allow Gutekunst to finalize a trade.
“A source said the Packers appeared close to making a deal at the start of free agency, but the combination of the trade compensation and Alexander’s unwillingness to cut his salary to fit the other team’s salary cap have made it difficult to close a deal,” Silverstein wrote. “There has been additional interest since the combine, but teams appear willing to wait until the Packers decide they are going to cut Alexander.”
Gutekusnt has limited options in a league full of GMs that know the Packers want to move on from the veteran with a long injury history. They appear willing to wait, hoping Green Bay will cut Alexander before the draft.
Brian Gutekunst has limited options
Alexander, like rival front offices, would prefer he goes to free agency. He has leverage over the Packers in trade talks by deciding if he wants to renegotiate his contract based on the destination.
“There’s no incentive for Alexander to accept even an incentive-laden deal if the team to which he’s going isn’t very good,” Silverstein wrote. “Since most of the league knows that the Packers don’t intend to keep Alexander, they aren’t hurrying to make a deal, figuring he eventually will be cut.
“Alexander is a vested veteran, so he is not subject to waivers and can negotiate with whomever he likes if he is cut.”
Silverstein thinks Gutekunst’s best move is to wait to make a trade until after the draft when teams know they need a cornerback. Or Green Bay could swap for another veteran with a high-cap number.
Regardless, there is little hope that Alexander will play for Green Bay in 2025. And the two-time All-Pro has no issue in sabotaging the Packers’ plans to trade him this offseason.
Wm. Glasheen USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
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