The Green Bay Packers are at a crossroads with their star cornerback Jaire Alexander. With persistent injuries limiting him to an average of just 8.5 games over the past four seasons and a hefty $24.6 million cap hit looming in 2025, trade rumors have swirled around the two-time All-Pro. Meanwhile, the Packers have already bolstered their secondary with Nate Hobbs, but whispers of another potential addition—Jack Jones, a 27-year-old cornerback potentially on the chopping block from the Las Vegas Raiders—have sparked intrigue. The prevailing narrative is that Jones could be a replacement for Alexander. But what if the Packers flipped the script? Instead of choosing between them, what if they paired Alexander and Jones to create a dynamic, lockdown cornerback tandem? Let’s break down the feasibility and tactical upside of this bold vision.
Feasibility: Can Green Bay Make It Work?
At first glance, keeping Alexander while adding Jones seems like a financial and logistical puzzle. Alexander’s contract, with two years remaining, carries significant weight against the salary cap, and Jones, though likely available at a discount after a subpar 2024 season (career-low PFF grades across coverage metrics), still requires a roster spot and resources. However, the Packers have options to make this work.
Financially, restructuring Alexander’s deal could lower his 2025 cap hit, spreading the cost over future years—a move GM Brian Gutekunst has executed before with big contracts. Jones, on the other hand, could be had on a prove-it deal if the Raiders cut him by April 7, 2025, as reported by Vincent Bonsignore. A one-year, low-risk contract (think $2-3 million with incentives) fits the Packers’ pattern of taking calculated gambles on reclamation projects. With roughly $20 million in projected cap space for 2025 (per OverTheCap), Green Bay could absorb both players without gutting other positions, especially if they let go of high-cost veterans elsewhere.
At this point the Packers approach to Jaire Alexander is:
1️⃣Trade before draft (seems unlikely)
2️⃣Draft day trade with a team who missed the CBs they wanted
3️⃣Post-draft trade for 2026 picks with a team who missed the CBs they wanted
4️⃣Turbo pay-cut to stay
5️⃣Release for nothing pic.twitter.com/RqgaJHX8OW— Ken – Packers Cap (@KenIngalls) April 5, 2025
Logistically, the Packers’ secondary depth supports this move. After losing Eric Stokes, Corey Ballentine, and Robert Rochell in free agency, the current CB room—Alexander, Hobbs, Keisean Nixon, and Carrington Valentine—has talent but lacks proven consistency beyond Alexander. Adding Jones, a former fourth-round pick with 18 starts and five career interceptions, brings experience and upside. Head coach Matt LaFleur and defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley have shown a knack for maximizing defensive backs (e.g., turning Nixon into a versatile weapon and elevating Xavier McKinney to All-Pro status in 2024). Jones, despite his struggles, could thrive under their guidance.
The biggest hurdle? Alexander’s health and Jones’ discipline. Alexander’s injury history is a gamble, and Jones has a rap sheet of off-field issues and inconsistent play. Yet, if both buy into the Packers’ culture—a hallmark of LaFleur’s tenure—this duo could be more than the sum of its parts.
Tactical Effectiveness: A Shutdown Secondary
On the field, pairing Alexander and Jones could transform Green Bay’s defense into a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks. Alexander, when healthy, is a technician with elite instincts, ranking among the NFL’s best in passer rating allowed (59.2 in 2022) and ball skills (21 passes defended in his last full season). Jones, while less polished, brings physicality and aggression, with a knack for big plays (two pick-sixes in 2023 with the Raiders). Their complementary styles could anchor a secondary built to dominate the NFC North’s pass-heavy offenses.
Imagine this alignment: Alexander as the CB1 shadowing top receivers like Justin Jefferson or Amon-Ra St. Brown, using his precision to erase No. 1 options. Jones, slotted as CB2 or in nickel packages, takes on secondary targets or tight ends, leveraging his 6-foot frame and willingness to mix it up in press coverage. Hobbs and Nixon provide flexibility in the slot or as rotational pieces, while McKinney roams as a free safety enforcer. This setup gives Hafley endless options—tight man coverage, aggressive blitz packages, or disguised zone looks to bait quarterbacks into mistakes.
The stats back up the potential. In 2023, Jones allowed a respectable 61.2 passer rating when targeted (per PFF), showing flashes of lockdown ability before his 2024 dip. Pair him with Alexander’s proven excellence, and the Packers could field two outside corners capable of neutralizing deep threats—a critical edge against division rivals like the Lions and Bears, who boast explosive aerial attacks. Even if Jones isn’t a star, his experience (39 career games) and youth (turning 28 in December 2025) make him a high-ceiling partner rather than a mere stopgap.
The X-Factor: Culture and Redemption
Beyond numbers, this pairing hinges on intangibles. Alexander has embraced a leadership role, welcoming Hobbs with open arms in 2024, suggesting he’d mentor rather than resent another CB addition. Jones, meanwhile, needs a fresh start after a rocky Raiders tenure marked by effort questions and a crowded depth chart. Green Bay’s tight-knit locker room and LaFleur’s player-first approach could be the reset button he needs. If Hafley unlocks Jones’ potential—much like he did with McKinney—the Packers could turn a castoff into a cornerstone.
The Bigger Picture: A Super Bowl Push
Why settle for replacing Alexander when you can double down? The Packers are in win-now mode after a 2024 season that saw Jordan Love emerge as a franchise QB and the defense gel under Hafley. With the 2025 NFL Draft hosted at Lambeau Field (April 24-26), Green Bay has a chance to cement its contender status. Pairing Alexander and Jones doesn’t just shore up a weakness—it creates a strength that could propel the Packers past NFC elites like the 49ers or Eagles.
Yes, it’s a risk. Alexander could break down again, or Jones could flop. But the reward—a shutdown secondary to complement Love’s offense—makes this more than a pipe dream. Instead of choosing between a star and a project, the Packers could have both. And in a league where passing reigns supreme, that’s a gamble worth taking.