NFL insider details Packers plans with Jaire Alexander

NFL insider Ian Rapoport joined the NFL Network crew during the combine on Sunday to discuss the latest between the Green Bay Packers and cornerback Jaire Alexander. Alexander battled injury this season but Rapoport shared that he’s a top priority for an extension ahead of the league new year.

“We know (the Packers’) No. 1 priority is Aaron Rodgers, but they do have some other contractual priorities going on, including Jaire Alexander,” Rapoport said. “They resumed contract talks with his agent this week. He’s due to make $13 million this year. Usually, the extensions take place into the spring or the summer but this is someone the Packers want to keep around for a very long time.”

From our NFL Combine coverage: A look at some of the key DB storylines in free agency, including the value (money-wise and locker room-wise) of the Honey Badger. pic.twitter.com/tEsidChGJd

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 6, 2022

Alexander spent several weeks this season on the reserve list with an AC joint injury in his shoulder. Rather than undergoing surgery, he opted to rehab and attempt a comeback ahead of the playoffs. The 2020 Pro Bowl selection returned to practice from his Week Four injury on Dec. 8.

In his first four seasons, Alexander has played in 48 games for the Packers. He’s recorded 188 tackles, five interceptions with 44 pass deflections. Over the first four games of 2021, he grabbed one interception with three pass deflections and 13 tackles. He didn’t record any stats after his return for the postseason.

The 2018 first-round draft pick out of Louisville is on a four-year, $12 million rookie deal. Based on Rapoport’s intel, it sounds like the Packers are going to do whatever it takes to sign Alexander to a statement deal.

Former NFL exec on Packers discussing Aaron Rodgers trade

When the top-seeded Green Bay Packers were upset at home by the San Francisco 49ers, not only did it end a once-promising season in disappointing fashion, but it also cast Aaron Rodgers into an offseason of mystery far earlier than expected.

It remains a mystery whether the back-to-back MVP winner — who’s won four in his career and appears to still be in his prime — will return to Green Bay.

Former NFL executive Joe Banner, who spent 17 years as the president of the Eagles, is skeptical that the Packers will be able to move Rodgers. Although Rodgers may want out, he still has a year left on his contract. It appears, at least for now, unlikely that Green Bay will find a perfect suitor for the star quarterback.

“The notion that the Packers are discussing a trade or allowing Rodgers to do that over a month before new league year starts is either false or the Packers are really stupid,” Banner said on Twitter. “At least one team I know tried to talk to GB and got absolutely nowhere. Totally shut down.”

The Packers seem to expect an answer relatively soon, according to a report from Michael Silver.

“Today Packers LT David Bakhtiari is getting married in California. Aaron Rodgers is set to officiate it. Matt LaFleur will be there. Rodgers is likely to tell the Packers what he wants to do by Tuesday afternoon,” Silver said. “Timing is kinda wild.”

On3’s Simon Gibbs contributed to this report.