On Monday morning, the Green Bay Packers released veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander, as the two-time Pro Bowler hits the open market for the first time in his seven-year career.
The Dallas Cowboys could use some help at the cornerback position.
With Trevon Diggs still rehabbing from knee surgery and rookie Shavon Revel Jr. entering the final stages of his rehab from a torn ACL he suffered in October, the need for experience in the position group could greatly benefit how the secondary begins the 2025 season.
DaRon Bland is the only surefire starter that is healthy going into the team’s mandatory minicamp beginning on Tuesday.
Reserve cornerbacks on the roster have rotated in starting positions throughout the team’s offseason team activity period including Kaiir Elam, Israel Mukuamu, Kemon Hall, Juanyeh Thomas and Caelen Carson.
With the opportunity to sign an intriguing veteran on the table, here is why the Dallas Cowboys should and should not sign Alexander.
Why it makes sense As mapped out above, the Cowboys are reeling in the cornerback room.
After injuries mounted throughout the 2024 season, the rehab processes have carried over into the 2025 offseason and have made for a makeshift secondary at times during the team’s offseason program.
Alexander brings proven ability as a man and zone coverage cornerback that can make life difficult for opposing teams’ No. 1 receivers. But in Dallas, he wouldn’t even have that task.
Bland is still expected to be the front-running cornerback, and Alexander would be able to step into a role on the other side of the ball and control secondary receiving options. It would also allow more freedom from the team to not have to rush the returns of Diggs and Revel.
Not that a return would be rushed in a way that threatens the player, but the need for their immediate services would not be as pressing with a proven veteran option in the building.
Why it doesn’t make sense Ultimately, the expected price and recent availability of Alexander would be a tough pill to swallow.
Over the last two seasons, Alexander has missed 20 games due to injury, and adding him into a cornerback room that is already reeling from health issues would not be the wisest decision.
On top of that, Alexander could still command a one-year deal in the range of $8 million to $10 million.
If that price is paid for only seven games of service, some buyer’s remorse would certainly permeate in Frisco.
On the field, there continues to be confidence in Kaiir Elam stepping into a starting role in week one and giving the Cowboys the needed time to complete the rehabs of Diggs and Revel.
