The Packers have suspended cornerback Jaire Alexander for his decision to crash the coin toss in Charlotte last Sunday. Soon, they’ll have to make another tough decision about Alexander.
As noted by Adam Schefter of ESPN.com, Alexander has an $8 million roster bonus due in March.
It’s not uncommon for contracts to include such terms. It forces a team to make an early call on whether to bring the player back or cut him loose. The earlier the player is cut, the more likely he is to get maximum compensation elsewhere.
Here are the full details of the four-year, $84 million extension Alexander signed with the Packers in May 2022. Although Schefter writes that cutting Alexander would result in $3 million in dead money for 2024, the truth is that the Packers would have to absorb more than $27.4 million, sooner or later.
If Alexander is cut with a post-June 1 designation, the Packers would have $8.364 million hit the cap in 2024, with the remaining $19.092 applying to the 2025 cap.
A Pro Bowler in 2022, Alexander appeared in 16 regular-season games. Injuries have limited him to six this year.
The key factor that could determine Jaire Alexander’s future with Packers
With questions swirling about the relationship between Jaire Alexander and the Green Bay Packers, following his recent suspension, there is reportedly something in the star cornerback’s contract that could further complicate his standing with the team.
His future in Green Bay could be determined by an $8 million roster bonus, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. If the organization is interested in keeping the two-time Second-Team All-Pro selection, it will merely pay him and proceed as normal. Otherwise, a trade seems likely.
This year has probably not sold the Packers on a long-term union with Alexander. He has played in only six games this season due to injuries and has struggled when on the field. The organization knows what he can do at full strength, but non-performance issues could complicate this offseason decision.
The 26-year-old out of Louisville is suspended for a pivotal Week 17 clash with the Minnesota Vikings after taking it upon himself to participate in the coin toss in last Sunday’s narrow win over the Carolina Panthers. Alexander was not a designated captain but supposedly carried on like one because he wanted to represent his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina.
He made a blunder that could have resulted in Green Bay kicking to start both the first and second half. The Packers disciplined him for “conduct detrimental to the team.” Head coach Matt LaFleur suggested that the corner was being penalized for more than just the coin toss fiasco.
Money tends to be a great equalizer. After a down year ravaged by injuries, and now negative optics, the Packers could consider moving on from Jaire Alexander. But before any of these matters can be dealt with, there are two important regular season games on the schedule.
