Insider Reveals Packers True Trade Stance On Blue Chip DB After GM’s Comments

The Green Bay Packers‘ offseason talk has mostly concerned a certain star running back and starting cornerback trying to recruit top receivers alongside Las Vegas Raiders star defensive end, Maxx Crosby.

Another consistent story line underpinning the franchise’s offseason moves is the future of current #1 cornerback and former All-Pro, Jaire Alexander.

At his NFL Combine press conference on Tuesday, Packers’ general manager, Brian Gutekunst, said to the media that whilst the team generally does not allow players to talk to other teams, he didn’t actively rule out trading the former 1st round draft pick, who has been the team’s best corner for over half a decade.

However, with news breaking on Wednesday from premier NFL insider, Ian Rapoport, it seems that the Packers may well be willing to trade Alexander.

Packers Open To Trading Alexander “For The Right Price”

The Green Bay Packers are in a slightly odd situation with their roster. They have considerable amounts of above average, high-level starters; but below the desired number of true, top-tier players at their respective positions.

Alexander is one of those few “blue-chip” players on Green Bay’s roster – a true top 5-10 at the position, and trading him leaves the Packers both short a true cover corner and sans one of the elite players on their roster.

Most of the time, franchises are not trying to trade 2 x All-Pros who have just turned 28 years old. However, numerous injuries suffered over the past 4 years have meant that Alexander’s played just 50% of the past 68 possible games (34) since the start of the 2021 season.

But in the one year in the last four that he did play a full season, he earned Pro Bowl and second team All-Pro nods, showing that, when healthy, he is still very much capable of performing at a high level when called upon.

The former Louisville ballhawk has two years remaining on his 4 year, $84 million deal, with a cap hit of over $25 million in 2025. However, Green Bay can save $15 million if they cut or trade Alexander this offseason.

The Packers have to decide whether its worth their while gambling on Alexander’s historically unreliable health, or if they are better off trading in their CB1 for what could be a below-market rate.

What Can The Packers Expect To Receive As Draft Compensation For Jaire Alexander?

Were the Packers to release Alexander, he would immediately become the best corner available, when on the field, at least.

A favorable comparison for Green Bay would be the in-season Marshon Lattimore trade executed near the trade deadline last November, where the Washington Commanders parted with a third, fourth, and sixth round pick (picking up a fifth rounder back) in exchange for the rights to the former New Orleans Saint‘s services – who has missed significant time in each of the past three seasons due to injury.

Trading Alexander for  third and fourth round picks would be a dream haul for Gutekunst and co. at this point, but given the lopsided view of the Lattimore trade in hindsight, that amount is likely a pipe dream at this point. Anything reaching around the third-rounder mark, or a fourth and fifth, would be excellent business for the Pack.