At this point in the NFL offseason, it is a matter of when, not if, the Green Bay Packers officially part ways with two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander. At one time, Alexander was considered one of the best players at his position in the NFL, which led Green Bay to offer him a four-year $84 million contract. It was a deal that, at the time, made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.
And while Alexander is still one of the best players at his position when healthy, the problem is that he has not been, well, healthy. Over the last two seasons, the two-time Second Team All-Pro selection has played 14 of a possible 34 regular season games. Going back four seasons, he has played 34 of 68.
Also over the past two years, it has become apparent that there is frustration between the Packers and Alexander. It is clear that both sides need to move on from one another, but the question remains whether Green Bay will be able to trade him or if they will have to release him.
The Green Bay Packers Will Address the Cornerback Position This Offseason
The fact of the matter is that even if Green Bay and Alexander were on good terms and he was going to return to the team in 2025, the Packers would still need to add a cornerback (or two) this offseason. In addition to Alexander’s imminent departure, both Eric Stokes and Corey Ballentine are hitting free agency.
Green Bay does have Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine still on their roster, and both are above-average starters at their position. However, the Packers have learned the hard way that they cannot rely on their starting cornerbacks being healthy for a full season.
The good news is that Nixon and Valentine provide a strong foundation that Green Bay can build upon in the cornerback room. Undoubtedly, they will address the position in the 2025 NFL Draft, but they will also need to look to free agency as well to ensure they have quality depth.
The Green Bay Packers Could Pursue Paulson Adebo
While there are some pretty big names on the cornerback free agent market, a list that includes All-Pro’s and Pro Bowlers, there are also some solid players that are not getting much buzz, at least among fans.
One of these is New Orleans Saints cornerback Paulson Adebo, whom Casey Hibbard of Sports Illustrated believes should be one of Green Bay’s top targets:
“One name to watch in NFL free agency will be Paulson Adebo. At 25 years old, he brings a mix of experience and upside that could fit well in the Packers’ defense. The 6-foot-1, 192-pound corner has played in 52 games over four seasons, tallying 10 interceptions and 43 passes defensed.
“His blend of physical tools and studiousness has made one of the better young corners in the NFL.
“‘Consistency and your preparation: Being prepared brings confidence,’ Adebo said during his breakout 2023 season. ‘The more prepared you are, the more work that you’ve put in, then you can be more confident when you step on the field. That’s everything.’”
Adebo played in just seven games last season due to a broken femur, but his three interceptions and 10 passes defended during that time was more production than any of the Packers’ cornerbacks had in a full season of work.
In 2023, Adebo had four interceptions, 18 passes defended, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
And if his name sounds vaguely familiar, it is because Adebo picked off Aaron Rodgers in his very first NFL game, in Week One of 2021.
Last season, opposing quarterbacks had a 60.0% completion percentage and 71.9 passer rating when targeting receivers Adebo was covering. The year before, he allowed just a 55.0% completion percentage and 62.7 passer rating.
Best of all, he is not going to be as expensive as other free agents that have been linked to Green Bay. Per Spotrac, his market value is two years and $22.2 million, or just $11.1 million a year.
That is less than half of the $25.3 million cap hit Alexander would bring if he remained on the roster.
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