ExtremeRavens Posted Monday at 09:11 PM Posted Monday at 09:11 PM Seven years ago, Jaire Alexander was mid-interview when he found out that the Ravens had used the final pick of the first round of the NFL draft on quarterback Lamar Jackson. “Let’s go, man!” the cornerback said after he was selected by the Green Bay Packers 14 picks earlier in 2018. “I told you.” “That’s my brother there,” Jackson responded after seeing the footage that same night. “I hope I’m going to play against you, bro. I hated going against you in practice.” Now, it’s possible the two former Louisville stars could be teammates once again. On Monday, the Packers released Alexander, finally bringing to an end a months-long saga between the two sides. Green Bay previously had given the embattled and oft-injured two-time Pro Bowl selection permission to seek a trade. After no deals materialized this offseason — including one with the Buffalo Bills — he will now be free to sign with whichever team he chooses. Though talks with Baltimore have yet to take place, there was some interest last season ahead of the trade deadline, though the discussion didn’t go far because the Ravens preferred not to give up draft compensation, a source with direct knowledge of the situation told The Baltimore Sun. But Baltimore also checks a lot of the boxes in terms of what Alexander is looking for. Among those criteria is a one-year deal, which would allow him to seek a bigger, long-term contract next offseason, and playing for a contender. Though Baltimore ranks 21st in the league in effective cap space at just under $19 million, according to Over The Cap, Alexander, who was set to make $17 million this season but will almost certainly get paid significantly less, is a player the Ravens could afford as a short-term rental on a Super Bowl-caliber roster. The Ravens could also create more cap space through contract extensions, of which there are a handful of candidates, including Jackson, or via restructuring other deals. Importantly, signing Alexander would not be a long-term commitment for a Baltimore team that is ready to contend for a title now. Signing him for a year and him leaving in free agency next offseason could also net the Ravens a compensatory draft pick. There’s also the Jackson factor. Two years ago, when he was in the midst of contract negotiations, the quarterback requested that the team sign wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and DeAndre Hopkins. It took two separate seasons, but each ended up in Baltimore, with Beckham spending the 2023 season with the Ravens and Hopkins signing this offseason. So, another request, this time to bring Alexander aboard — particularly during another round of contract extension talks — would not be a surprise. Baltimore also has a history of adding veteran, former Pro Bowl players that they can get at the right price. Alexander’s addition would also figure to immediately strengthen a pass defense that ranked 27th in yards allowed per game (238.3) last season and was 17th in interceptions with 13. Currently, Baltimore’s cornerback group includes Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Chidobe Awuzie, T.J. Tampa and Jalyn Armour-Davis. They also selected two cornerbacks — Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam — in the sixth round of this year’s draft. Bringing Alexander into that fold would give Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr more flexibility and depth. It would also allow him to use Wiggins and Alexander on the outside, with Humphrey, an All-Pro in the slot last season, remaining inside. Awuzie, whom Baltimore signed to a one-year veteran minimum deal this offseason, adds depth and has the versatility to potentially contribute at safety, a position he played in college. Armour-Davis has also seen some reps at safety during voluntary organized team activities this month. Given Awuzie’s and Armour-Davis’ injury history and Tampa’s lack of experience, the Ravens need as much depth as they can find. It’s why Eric DeCosta is fond of saying he can never have too many cornerbacks. Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore SunRavens quarterback Lamar Jackson hurdles Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander during a preseason game in 2019. The play was called back because of a penalty. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) Of course, Alexander’s medical file could raise some concerns. He has missed at least 10 games in three of the past four seasons. Last season, he appeared in just seven games because of quadriceps and knee injuries. Only four times in his seven seasons has he played at least 13 games. Only twice has he played a full season. Other reasons could also prevent the Ravens from signing him. A bold player with a brash persona, Alexander was notably suspended for one game in 2023 for “conduct detrimental to the team” when, in his return to the lineup from injury, he inserted himself into the coin toss in a game against the Carolina Panthers — even though he was not designated as a captain with that responsibility that week — and nearly bungled the decision that would have given the Panthers the ball to start both halves. Alexander said afterward that he went onto the field for the coin toss because the game was in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina. He has also drawn criticism over his availability, or lack thereof, because of injuries. Still, Alexander has been one of the game’s best cornerbacks when healthy. Despite playing in just seven games last season, he finished second on the team in pass breakups (seven) and tied for second in interceptions (two). In 2022, he had five interceptions and 14 pass breakups in 16 games, and in 2019 had 17 pass breakups and two interceptions, also in 16 games. Over his seven seasons, including the playoffs, Alexander has 15 interceptions. Now the only question is whether his next one will come in a Ravens uniform. Have a news tip? Contact Brian Wacker at bwacker@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/brianwacker1. Jaire Alexander has 15 interceptions in seven seasons. (Jeffrey Phelps/AP file) View the full article Quote
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