The Green Bay Packers could be beginning a new era at the cornerback position this offseason, as it remains possible that the team will part ways with Jaire Alexander in 2025.
Alexander has battled injury in three of the last four seasons, which makes his $24.9 million 2025 cap hit untenable. The Packers can save $6.8 million by cutting or trading him pre-June 1, and $17 million would be saved if it’s post-June 1.
Parting with Alexander would leave the Packers in the market for a cornerback, and Green Bay would likely be looking to make a big splash. Sportsnaut’s Matt Johnson has the team doing just that by signing New York Jets cornerback, D.J. Reed.
“Poised to move on from Jaire Alexander, the Green Bay Packers need a new No. 1 cornerback,” Johnson wrote. “In his last two seasons with the New York Jets, DJ Reed held opponents under a 60 percent completion rate with a sub-87.5 QB rating allowed in coverage over the last two seasons. He is undersized (5-foot-9), but he can be a high-end starter who would pair beautifully with safety Xavier McKinney. Green Bay is going to make a splash in NFL free agency, Reed will be the prize.”
Reed mostly flew under the radar during his three-year stint with the Jets because he was playing opposite Sauce Gardner, but he is very capable of taking over the No. 1 job in Green Bay.
The seven-year pro is coming off one of the best showings of his career after allowing a completion rate of 57.1% and a passer rating of 87.1.
While one would assume the Jets want him back, Reed has made it abundantly clear that he has no interest in staying in New York, which puts him in play for interested parties.
“I’m ready to go to free agency, bro,” Reed said toTyler Dunne of Go Long. “I’m ready to see what’s next for me.”
Reed is projected for a nice payday by Spotrac, with the outlet estimating that he’ll receive a four-year, $58.6 million deal. That’s a realistic number considering Reed is one of the best cornerbacks available on the open market.
With the Packers having a projected $42.2 million to work with in free agency, they can easily turn to Reed as a replacement for Alexander.
