The Green Bay Packers aren’t letting Jaire Alexander get away. Ian Rapaport of the NFL Network was first to report the Packers and Alexander have reached an agreement on a four year contract extension worth 84 million dollars, keeping the star cornerback through the 2026 season. The deal reportedly contains a 30 million dollar signing bonus and his average salary makes Alexander the highest paid corner in the NFL, eclipsing the deal Denzel Ward signed with the Cleveland Browns earlier this spring.
Alexander was entering the fifth and final year of his original rookie contract and by getting the deal done now, gives the team additional salary cap relief in subsequent years, not to mention avoiding potential acrimony from one of the league’s top pass defenders.
By not extending Davante Adams until they were left no choice but to apply the franchise tag this past March had Adams frustrated to the point he no longer wanted to be a part of the organization and his wish to get traded to the Las Vegas Raiders was realized.
Alexander was Green Bay’s first round pick out of Louisville in 2018, the 18th overall choice and the very first draft selection of newly hired General Manager Brian Gutekunst. Alexander quickly moved into the starting secondary and within three seasons, was named to the NFC Pro Bowl squad and was a second team Associated Press All Pro. He was the highest graded defensive back in the league for the 2020 season according to Pro Football Focus and capped his breakout year by intercepting Tom Brady twice in the NFC Championship Game.
A month into the 2021 season, Alexander tackled Pittsburgh running back Najee Harris and severely injured his shoulder. He was placed on injured reserve and didn’t get reactivated until December 29. During the Packers playoff bye week, Alexander spent five days on the Reserve/COVID19 list but he was able to return and make a brief appearance in the Divisional Playoff loss to San Francisco.
While his absence was greatly missed, the secondary held together after the Packers signed Rasul Douglas off the Arizona practice squad and his stellar play was rewarded with a new contract this off-season as well.
Alexander has started 46 of 48 games in his career, he has 5 interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
According to reports, Alexander will earn 31 million in the first year of the extension, the signing bonus along with a 1 million dollar base salary. His salary cap figure for 2022 will be just over 7 million dollars. He’s due a roster bonus of 11.5 million in March of next year.
The Packers will begin their Organized Team Activities next Monday with three straight days of on-field work. In advance of phase two of the off-season program, the coaching staff will meet reporters for press conferences this week. The three coordinators, Offensive Coordinator Adam Stenavich, Defensive Coordinator Joe Barry and Special Teams Coordinator Rich Bisaccia will go first on Tuesday. Defensive assistants will have their sessions on Wednesday and the offensive coaches will go on Thursday.
