Following the Aaron Rodgers extension, the Davante Adams trade, and a host of other moves, the Packers currently possess a little more than $15MM in cap space, per OverTheCap.com. Of course, Green Bay still needs to maintain sufficient room to sign its rookie class and make in-season transactions, and as Matt Schneidman of The Athletic (subscription required) writes, the club might be interested in a free agent wide receiver like Odell Beckham Jr. or Will Fuller now that Adams and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are out of the picture.
In other words, the Packers would still like to create more cap room, and per Schneidman, the most obvious way to achieve that goal would be to extend cornerback Jaire Alexander. As we heard earlier this month, Green Bay and Alexander’s camp have engaged in negotiations on a long-term pact.
One potential snag is that, according to Schneidman, Alexander is seeking a contract that would make him the highest-paid corner in the league. Currently, Rams CB Jalen Ramsey is the clubhouse leader in terms of both AAV ($20MM) and practical guarantees ($71.2MM).
Alexander, a member of the 2018 All-Rookie team who had established himself as a quality starter over his first two years in the league, had a breakout in 2020, earning his first Pro Bowl nod and Second Team All-Pro recognition. The advanced analytics at Pro Football Focus supported those honors with a tremendous 90.5 overall grade, and Green Bay made the easy decision to exercise Alexander’s fifth-year option for the 2022 season, which guarantees him a $13.3MM salary.
Unfortunately, Alexander played in just four regular season games in 2021 thanks to an October shoulder injury, and while he did return for Green Bay’s lone postseason contest, he appeared in just eight snaps in the Packers’ snowy upset at the hands of the 49ers. So while it stands to reason that he would shoot for the moon based on his career trajectory up to the 2021 campaign, it also makes sense that the team is uncomfortable authorizing a Ramsey-esque contract at this point.
If Alexander wants top-of-the market money, he may have to wait until next offseason and turn in a fully-healthy 2022 season reminiscent of his 2020 efforts. If he is willing to sacrifice a bit of earning potential in exchange for a lesser contract that will still provide him with a significant amount of guaranteed money, perhaps he and the Packers can find some middle ground in the coming weeks.
Let’s hope Alexander doesn’t price himself out of GB. If it’s just about the money, hopefully Gutes can get a quality return (unlike he got with Adams).
Championship teams can never afford to have all the top paid players at every position in the league.
I’m not sure how getting a 1st and 2nd for Adams was a bad return. You’re basically gaining cap space AND adding two cheap starters for the next 4-5 years.
Also giving Alexander the extension he wants wouldn’t hamstring them cap wise since most of these deals are backloaded cap hit wise and can be renegotiated in 2-3 years once the cap hit spikes.
Adams is the top WR in the game, he’s worth more than a 1 and 2. I’m not opposed to trading him, because I wouldn’t pay him what he wanted with the current cap and needs. But another pick or 2 or a player in return would be sufficient.
Not at almost 30 years old (by the time the season starts) he isn’t worth more than that. Doubt he replicates what he did in GB with Carr as his QB and Father Time catching up. GB was smart to get what they did for him.
Green Bay got the same value for Adams that KC got for Hill when you account for the quality of the draft picks. Green Bay also had no leverage in negotiations since Adams was adamant about going to Vegas specifically
I get the limitations of the entire deal. But the value isn’t the same as the Hill return. GB gets 22 and 53; KC gets 29, 50. Plus a 4th rd. and a 4 and 6 next season. I’d rather have KCs return.
Moving up from 29 to 22 arguable would cost another number 2 in the same draft. Future picks are always worth less.
Agreed that moving up 7 spots in the first would cost more than the two 4ths KC got and moving up 3 spots in the second is about equal to the future 6th rounder. Sometimes I think fans forget that quality is greater than quantity in the early rounds of the draft.
Interesting to see how much he gets because his career seems a lot like Denzel Ward. Very good when he plays but injuries a concern
Has GM AR#12 signed off on paying the man?
I said it last month but bares repeating. Rodgers crushed the payroll and dominoes have to fall. Adams gone, Alexander is next. More players will follow as they recognize the team demise. Can’t blame players either. Its all about the coin so why not force GB to pay like Rodgers did? The only viable option is to trade him for picks for cheaper players down the road. GB can’t afford the depth of elite talent anymore so let the exodus begin.
I hope you’re right. It would be great to see Green Bay fall solely because of Rodgers ego and contractual demands.
You know Rodgers gets a lot of beat for his contract and that is what it is, but why does bahktiari get a pass. Dude missed the entire season as the 2nd highest paid LT in the game.
The Vikings will probably sign him.