34 Games Missed, 1 Brutal Pattern: Is This the End of Jaire Alexander’s Prime?

For a cornerback once considered the heartbeat of Green Bay’s defense, Jaire Alexander’s career trajectory has taken a worrying turn. From his explosive rise to All-Pro status to now being defined more by his absences than his impact, Alexander’s recent string of injuries raises an uncomfortable question: is his prime already slipping away?

Since 2021, Alexander has missed 34 of the Packers’ last 68 regular-season games—exactly 50%. It’s not just one nagging injury either. In 2021, it was a shoulder issue that sidelined him for 13 games. He returned for the playoffs but barely featured. In 2023, it was a mix of back and shoulder problems that cost him nine more games. And just when fans hoped 2024 would be a comeback year, disaster struck again.

On October 27, 2024, in a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Alexander tore the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his right knee—a devastating injury that ultimately ended his season. He attempted a return weeks later but managed only 10 snaps against the Chicago Bears before aggravating the issue. By January 2025, it was clear: the shutdown corner was shut down for good that season.

The consequences have been significant. Without Alexander, Green Bay’s secondary struggled against elite offenses, and whispers about his future grew louder. With his cap hit exceeding $25 million in upcoming seasons, the Packers face a difficult decision. Sources suggest the team is evaluating options that include a trade or a potential post-June 1 cut, which would free up $6.8 million in cap space.

To make matters more complicated, Alexander hasn’t only battled injuries—his 2023 season was marred by controversy when he was benched for unilaterally declaring himself captain during a coin toss. While he later redeemed himself with a clutch interception in the Wild Card round, the inconsistency in both health and discipline leaves questions about his long-term role in Green Bay.

Jaire Alexander remains immensely talented. When healthy, he’s a lockdown defender capable of changing games. But time waits for no one in the NFL, and with nearly half the last four seasons lost to injury, the Packers—and Alexander himself—may soon face a crossroads. Is this a temporary setback, or the start of a painful end to a once-promising era?