Green Bay Packers star cornerback Jaire Alexander has not had the impact most would have expected of him coming into the season, playing in only six games so far this year. And now he is even getting in trouble with his own team after a poor decision during the team’s Week 16 win over the Carolina Panthers.
Each team is allowed to have three game captains each week, who traditionally go out for the opening coin toss before the start of any given game.
Alexander, playing in his first game since Week 8 on Sunday, was not listed as a game captain for the matchup. However, he decided to join the game captains on the field for the coin toss.
It’s something that most fans probably didn’t even notice at the time. But it is something that he was asked about after the game by reporters.
“You know, it’s only suiting,” said Alexander via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. “I don’t think coach knew I am from Charlotte. You know, the guys backed me up. They knew I was from here.”
Jaire Alexander wasn’t announced by the Packers as a game captain, but he went out for the coin toss anyway. And called it. And won it. And almost messed it up.
Sounds like he just did it on his own.
“It’s only suiting. I don’t think coach knew I was from Charlotte.” pic.twitter.com/EVahq6QoOJ
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) December 24, 2023
Again, it doesn’t seem like a huge deal in hindsight. But it sure seems like the Packers organization took issue with Alexander taking it upon himself to go out for the coin toss on his own.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Packers have suspended Alexander for their upcoming Week 17 game against the Minnesota Vikings for “conduct detrimental to the team”.
The #Packers have suspended CB Jaire Alexander for one game for conduct detrimental to the team.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2023
It’s certainly one of the more bizarre suspensions that we have seen in quite some time in the NFL. And fans had plenty to say about it on social media.
The man made himself captain last weekend and nearly ruined the coin toss – before the ref saved him
Bold move https://t.co/F5O52CWDpb
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) December 27, 2023
Bruh fine him, let him play and keep it moving 🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/YpaX2We2Uq
— Chris Harris (@ChrisHarrisJr) December 27, 2023
Suspending your CB1 before playing Justin Jefferson on primetime while in the wildcard hunt because he did the coin toss when he wasn’t supposed to is liable to fire the entire Packers front office https://t.co/mG1hLKl9a0
— Landon 🌎☄️💕®️ (@Armentro1Landon) December 27, 2023
The right move.
Anyone who thinks this was “Ja being Ja,” and “no big deal,” was sorely mistaken. https://t.co/wXhZ3pyLN7
— Brandon Sneide (@Brandon_Sneide) December 27, 2023
Yet Joe Barry is allowed to coach while his conduct has been detrimental to the team the entire season https://t.co/PaJjvQ8EcB
— Matt (@mgd1084) December 27, 2023
It seems like the decision to suspend Alexander came down from Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst, who provided a statement about the suspension retrieved by Ian Rapoport.
“The decision to suspend a player is never easy and not one we take lightly. “Unfortunately, Jaire’s actions prior to the game in Carolina led us to take this step. As an organization, we have an expectation that everyone puts the team first. While we are disappointed, we had a good conversation with Jaire this morning and fully expect him to learn from this as we move forward together. We look forward to welcoming him back next week as he is a valued member of this team and will continue to be in the future.”
This is, in fact, for the coin toss fiasco. Here is GM Brian Gutekunst: https://t.co/7FT74vjO5U pic.twitter.com/Wa7FOrIbyC
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2023
On paper, a suspension feels a bit harsh, as he likely would have learned his lesson with a fine. Regardless, the Packers’ defense will certainly miss a player like Alexander on Sunday in a game that will be crucial for the Packers to win to have any hope of making the postseason in the NFC.
