The Green Bay Packers have had an up and down offseason to this point.
Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers decided to return to the team, but the team was forced to trade star wide receiver Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders after contract negotiations between Adams and the team went sideways.
The Packers certainly can’t afford to lose any more of their core roster if they want to compete in what could be one of Rodgers’ last seasons in the NFL. And the team made a big move on Monday to make sure that they are very much contenders heading into 2022.
The Packers agreed to terms with cornerback Jaire Alexander on a new contract extension, which will net the 25-year-old Alexander $84 million over four years with the team. Alexander, who made the Pro Bowl in the 2020-21 season and was also named second-team All-Pro that year, will receive a $30 million signing bonus here, a record for a cornerback.
Packers and Pro-Bowl CB Jaire Alexander are finalizing a 4-year, $84 million contract extension, per source. Deal includes $31 million in 2022 – a DB record of $30 million in signing bonus. Alexander will receive $42.5M by March. @JohnThornton of @RocNationSports confirmed deal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 16, 2022
Alexander’s $21-million-a-year deal will also be a record for the position. The Packers very clearly needed to make sure Alexander would be around long term, and the NFL world is certainly excited to see him back in Green Bay.
.@JaireAlexander pic.twitter.com/6Zt8Mb3ZIe
— Luke Easterling (@LukeEasterling) May 16, 2022
Jaire Alexander's new deal includes $31M in the first year, and a record $30M signing bonus. Big money. As a reward, #Packers not only retain an All-Pro caliber corner, but avoid another Davante Adams situation by getting the deal done early.
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) May 16, 2022
Packers defensive investments this offseason:
Jaire Alexander extension
Quay Walker 1st round pick
Devonte Wyatt 1st round pick
De’Vondre Campbell re-signed
Rasul Douglas re-signed
Jarran Reed signed
Preston Smith extension
Kingsley Enagbare 5th rnd pickDefense 1st in GB!
— Andy Herman (@AndyHermanNFL) May 16, 2022
Live look at Jaire Alexander pic.twitter.com/R1GoHRcJf3
— NFL On Prime Video (@NFLonPrime) May 16, 2022
Alexander had a down year in 2022, playing in only four games last year due to a shoulder injury last year. Despite that, it is clear that bringing him back was a priority for Green Bay.
The Packers are making their intentions very clear with both this move and in selecting two defensive players with two first-round picks in 2022. They’re making it a point to shore up their defense heading into 2022.
Green Bay may have some issues moving the ball this fall, with Rodgers losing two of his top receiving options in Adams and Marcus Valdez-Scantling. But the Packers’ defense certainly looks like it could be a force to be reckoned with, especially with Alexander now locked up.