Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander will have an expanded role next season, according to general manager Brian Gutekunst.
“With Ja, he’s going to go where some of the receivers are going to go and he’s going to follow those guys in different packages. He can do everything,” Gutekunst said at the NFL owners meeting on Monday. “That’s a nice luxury for us to have.”
The Packers recently lost their starting nickel Chandon Sullivan, who signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings. Sullivan was the team’s primary slot corner the past two seasons.
In some scenarios next season, Alexander will follow receivers into the slot.
It would be a new role even for Green Bay’s star corner. During his first four NFL seasons, Alexander only played 283 snaps in the slot out of a possible 2,907, according to Pro Football Focus.
Gutekunst said he thinks all three of his likely starters at cornerback – Alexander, Eric Stokes and Rasul Douglas – can play in the slot if need be.
“I really like the versatility of our corner group,” Gutekunst said. “Our entire corner group that we have right now probably could both play inside and out.”
If anyone can move into the slot and thrive, it’s Alexander. The 2018 first-round pick was named a second-team All-Pro in 2020 after finishing as the No. 1 rated corner by PFF. Alexander recorded 51 tackles, 13 pass breakups, one forced fumble, and an interception while giving up only two touchdowns.
Unfortunately, a shoulder injury limited his 2021 season to just four games. Alexander did return for the playoffs but appeared in only eight snaps.
Gutekunst said he isn’t worried about Alexander playing in the slot now that his shoulder is fully healed.
Alexander will rejoin a loaded secondary featuring Douglas, Stokes, Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage. Out of all of the cornerbacks, Alexander might be best suited to play the slot.
Both Douglas and Stokes did well as the team’s starting outside corners last season. Gutekunst said Douglas “certainly could” play in the slot. Alexander is the smaller of the three but is also the best in coverage. He could potentially travel with opposing teams’ No. 1 receiver even when they line up in the slot.
Success in an expanded role for Alexander would help in his contract negotiation. He would join a unique group of corners who follow receivers all over the field, which is something the highest-paid corner, Jalen Ramsey, does not do for the Los Angeles Rams.
Alexander is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie deal, but Green Bay does not plan on letting Alexander go anywhere anytime soon. If anything, Gutekunst’s comments show just how much they value him as a player.
