The San Francisco 49ers could find much-needed secondary help if the rollercoaster relationship between the Green Bay Packers and Jaire Alexander goes south.
Among the many impact players to leave the San Francisco 49ers this free agency, losing cornerback Charvarius Ward opens up a massive void in the secondary that will need to be addressed.
Ward signed a three-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts. However, the two-time Pro Bowler’s departure could make room for another talented cornerback in Green Bay Packers’ controversial star Jaire Alexander.
The Packers and Alexander have had a messy offseason to say the least. He still has two years on his current contract, but rumors have swirled about both sides wanting to move on from one another.
For example, Kelly Hallinan reported an awkward exchange with Alexander in the Packers locker room earlier this offseason that began stirring the pot about a possible relocation.
“When Jaire Alexander was asked to speak with the media at locker room cleanout, he declined, saying he doesn’t even know if he is going to be here next year,” she said.
Despite these reports, Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst has kept the stance that the Packers are working things out with Alexander, which could turn into a reconciliation and lead to his return in 2025.
“All options are still on the table: release, trade or return,” ESPN’s Rob Demovsky writes.
If he does seek a new home in 2025, the 49ers have been named as a likely suitor for the former All-Pro defensive back.
“I could throw the San Francisco 49ers, (Los Angeles) Rams, (Pittsburgh) Steelers and (Kansas City) Chiefs out there as teams that entered the draft with needs at the position, and didn’t take corners in the first two rounds of the draft,” writes Albert Breer.
Alexander’s addition wouldn’t necessarily be the easiest for the 49ers, who may be interested in a youth movement after this offseason’s haul of lost talent. They could also be wary of commitment to Alexander’s finances and injury trends.
“The question, to me, comes down to money,” Breer says. “He’s due $17.5 million this year. And, because of his recent injury history, that’s shown to be a bit rich for interested teams. Alexander, meanwhile, would rather be cut so he can pick his destination, and he might not be willing to help with a contract adjustment to facilitate a trade.
Alexander signed a four-year, $84 million contract with Green Bay in 2022, which makes for a difficult responsibility to trade for. He is expected to command a $24 million cap hit this season, and an even greater total next year.
In the event of his release from the Packers, a 49ers move can be made much more easily.
The injuries and various character concerns have plagued much of Alexander’s stellar potential in Green Bay.
He is coming off a stretch where he played just seven games for the second season in a row. In 2024, it was a knee issue that kept him on the sidelines for substantial time.
Before that, he was suspended for “conduct detrimental to the team” after he assigned himself into the captains group to go out for the pregame coin toss in a 2023 game.
When he is healthy – and in the right frame of mind – Alexander remains one of the best cornerbacks in football.
But is that a bet the 49ers are willing to take?
They will have to consider weighing their options if this caliber a player in a much-needed position becomes available before next season.
