With free agency and the NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, the future of Jaire Alexander, the Green Bay Packers’ star cornerback, is up in the air. Arnold Alexander has not attended a single voluntary in-season workout this year. This definitely calls into question his dedication to playing for that team next season. Green Bay Packers beautifully managing extreme uncertainty over the future of their cornerback depth chart. Regardless of whether or not Alexander returns, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is prepared to embrace the new direction of the team.
Even before last season had officially ended, indicators were pointing toward Alexander seeking a new beginning. Her passion and enthusiasm for that very same topic resonated deeply with the team. This likely split only further complicates and confounds what the Packers’ defensive strategy will be. During a recent press conference, Hafley addressed reporters for the first time this offseason and opted not to discuss hypothetical scenarios regarding Alexander’s presence in the roster when the 2025 season commences.
Hafley emphasized his focus on the present, stating, “I think we’ll leave that one up to see what happens rather than talk in any hypotheticals, to answer that fairly.”
As the team looks ahead to a new season, the importance of Alexander to the team’s new-look defense became readily apparent. Hafley and his newly hired coaching staff should look at Doug’s absence as an opportunity. They can begin planning for a future without their talented cornerback. If Alexander doesn’t make his way back, there’s an interesting rearranging of roles that could go down among the players already on the roster.
The Packers have been aggressive in trying to improve their cornerback room in free agency and the draft. They just brought in free agent Nate Hobbs, who has played both inside as a nickel cornerback and outside. Additionally, the team drafted Micah Robinson with the 237th overall selection and added Johnathan Baldwin from UNLV as an undrafted free agent. Baldwin was then rewarded with one of the largest guaranteed contracts ever given by the Pack to an undrafted rookie. This decision very strongly illustrates their unshakeable faith in his potential.
If Alexander is out of the lineup, the top three cornerbacks would then be Hobbs, Keisean Nixon, and Carrington Valentine. All of them are eager to engage! Nixon, who made his mark in the league as a nickel cornerback for the majority of his career, moved to an outside cornerback position last year. This change would certainly pave the way for him to become the No. 1 cornerback. Unless, of course, Alexander’s luck does not hold for Green Bay.
Hafley expressed confidence in his current roster, stating, “Whenever everything pans out and we figure out who’s here, we will do the very best we can to put them in great positions and making plays.”
The new defensive coordinator has been impressed by some of Hobbs’ traits. He remarked on Hobbs’ versatility and competitiveness: “He’s had a lot of success inside, and I thought his tape outside was equally as good. He is competitive, he’s tough, he is physical, he plays the game fast, you can tell he loves it.”
Hafley pointed out Hobbs’ impact on the team, declaring, “I don’t know if you guys watched any of it, but it certainly jumps off the tape the way the guy plays. He’s been a great addition, and he does give you that versatility where you can move him around. I’m a big fan of that.”
With the offseason already underway, the Packers will be watching Alexander’s health closely. Meanwhile, they’re downright proactively planning for various scenarios that might affect their secondaries. The same goes for the adjustments that coaching staff needs to make. Their capacity to accomplish that will be vital in establishing the defense long in advance of the following period.
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