The Lass Word: Should Pack Make Jaire the Highest Paid Corner?
Could he become the Davante Adams of next year?
By KenLass
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. A star player for the Green Bay Packers is entering the final year of his contract, and, according to reports, wants a new deal which makes him the highest paid player in the league at his position.
This time it’s cornerback Jaire Alexander. The Packers would love to get an extension done with him as quickly as possible in order to create a little more breathing room under the salary cap. But in order to meet Jaire’s price, the team will have to come up with a deal averaging more than Jalen Ramsey’s average annual salary of $20 million per year.
When Davante Adams demanded to be the top paid receiver, there was validity behind it. Adams was and is arguably the best receiver in the game. With Alexander, that issue is not quite so clear. Is he currently the best corner in the NFL? The issue is made a little more murky by the fact he only played in four regular season games in 2021 after suffering a shoulder injury against the Steelers. He returned for the playoff game, but played just eight snaps against the 49ers. The Packers haven’t seen him play full time since early October. You couldn’t blame the team if they decided to wait on extending the fifth year veteran until they see if he is still the same player who broke out in 2020 as a second team all pro. They could slow play the contract negotiations well into the 2022 season.
The problem with that is Alexander could do exactly what Adams did last summer. If no deal is reached by the start of the season, he could cut off all talks and make up his mind to play for someone else next year. Whereupon Green Bay would likely franchise him, Alexander could inform the team he won’t play for them, and the team would have to trade him to get some value. In other words, the exact same scenario as with Davante. So it seems likely the Packers, who will again be very tight against the cap next year, will have to decide this offseason whether their star corner is worth the money.
I gathered stats on all of the NFL corners who made AP first or second team all pro over the past three seasons. Besides Alexander, the group includes Trevon Diggs, Jalen Ramsey, Xavien Howard, Tre’Davious White, Stephon Gilmore and Marcus Peters. Ramsey was first team all pro twice. I compared their average per game totals over the last three years in three categories, interceptions, passes defensed, and tackles. It should be pointed out that comparing elite corners by virtue of stats can be deceptive. The top corners in the league may not even get the ball thrown at their man, so the opportunity to pile up impressive figures is limited. When Richard Sherman was in his zenith for Seattle, the Packers would go an entire game without throwing to his side of the field.
With that caveat in mind, among that collection of recent all pros, Alexander ranks last in interceptions per game. However, he is first in passes defensed, and fourth in total tackles. The low number of picks is the one thing that keeps Jaire from ascending above his peers. He has a total of just four interceptions over the last three seasons. Rasul Douglas had five in twelve games last year. Yet Alexander is tenacious in coverage and tackling. His shoulder injury occurred when he made a full speed tackle against a Steelers receiver behind the line of scrimmage on fourth down. He brings a feisty, high energy approach to the locker room and to the field. Pro Football Focus had Alexander ranked as the number one corner in the NFL in their 2021 preseason ratings.
I have begun my annual offseason obsession of rewatching all of Green Bay’s games from the previous season. You can’t help but notice that Jaire does get beaten now and then. He loves to press and take chances, and he sometimes gets burned. He’s not the fastest guy on the field and struggles to catch up if he gives ground. He prefers to be physical at the line to keep you from going by. He is excellent at hand placement and body leverage when the ball arrives. He just doesn’t catch it very often.
General Manager Brian Gutekunst certainly gives every indication that the former University of Louisville standout is the leader of his secondary, and even indicated Jaire may be assigned to the opposing team’s best receiver this year and follow him all over the field. There’s no question they want him around long term.
But can the team afford another player mega deal? Gutekunst has said talks with Jaire's agent have been ongoing, but no agreement thus far. In order to gain cap space this year, any extension would push major money into an already bloated 2023 cap. Don’t be surprised if Green Bay uses one of its high draft picks, perhaps even a first rounder, to take a cornerback. They need to protect themselves in case the Davante Adams scenario repeats itself with Alexander.
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Ken Lass is a former Green Bay television sports anchor and 43 year media veteran, a lifelong Packers fan, and a shareholder.
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Comments (95)
packerbackerjim
April 01, 2022 at 06:15 am
Maybe Gute’s comment was an attempt to determine the cost of Jaire’s next contract by making him go against the opponent’s number one. IMHO, I think he’s up to the challenge.
Minniman
April 01, 2022 at 01:58 pm
A really good point re Gute flagging his increased involvement in the game.
If JA has already set the benchmark that he wants to be the highest paid CB in the game then that actually simplifies the equation and the results will speak for themself.
Another variable is - is JA 4-5 times better than Rasul Douglas and Stokes.
FWIW - If all parties can agree on an incentives laden contract that pays him the most, then that is a win-win that the Packers could live with. As Ken pointed out, he's too young for predominantly guaranteed money.
Minniman
April 01, 2022 at 02:02 pm
Addit: A number slightly higher than Ramsay's and incentives laden will not be a mega deal in 4 years with the expected Salary Cap increases. This would be fair for all parties during the life of the contract and (hopefully) not make JA disgruntled by the end of year 2.
Rarescope
April 01, 2022 at 06:24 am
I hate the idea of paying someone who was injured most of last year megabucks. Much as I liked Davante I think what happened with him this year was a good deal for us (unless the draft picks are completely wasted) so I don’t think it would be the worst thing in the world to have the same thing to happen next year with Alexander - except we could always use the cap space this year from an extension.
I fell better about our cornerback room than I do the wide receivers. Although maybe the author has a point about targeting great corners. Douglas may have had a breakout year because opposing qbs underestimated him.
murf7777
April 01, 2022 at 07:56 am
Big difference between Adams and Alexander. Not only does Alexander play one of the most important positions, he is entering his prime. Adams is entering his 30’s where declining abilities start happening. Much different scenarios. I do agree about the injury and I’d wait to see him go thru pre-season at a minimum to make sure everything is good to go.
Guam
April 01, 2022 at 08:42 am
Agreed Murf7777. Second contracts are where guys get paid big money and usually are worth it. Alexander is young and ascending and will get paid. The Packers will find a way to get this deal done and given the way the salary cap is projected to increase, Alexander will probably be considered a good bargain by the end of his second contract.
Third contracts are an entirely different matter. This is a young man's game and star players heading into their thirties often don't live up to large third contracts due to injuries and father time.
Oppy
April 01, 2022 at 08:57 am
In my opinion, it's typically 3rd contracts where the top players make the blockbuster superstar money.
Generally speaking, it's the second contract (extension of rookie contract so they never see free agency) where you see top players earning "starter + premium" money on a 3 year deal.
21 years old as rookie, play 3 years under rookie contract, contract renegotiated as a new three year deal with increased salary. That puts a player at roughly 27 years old which for most positions that's the prime of career, and that's typically when his next deal is a bank buster.
Guam
April 01, 2022 at 11:01 am
Not entirely sure I understand your timing Oppy. Usually college players are 22-23 when they get drafted, not 21. First round rookie contracts are for five years which puts them at 27-28 when they get their second deal. A three year second deal puts them in their thirties for the third contract.
Second rounders and later have one less year on their initial contract plus there are always exceptions - players who leave early or are just young for their class (Bahk was both I believe) - but many players don't play under their third contract until they turn 30.
Oppy
April 01, 2022 at 05:05 pm
Agreed that most players are older than 21 coming out of college. Error on my part.
With that said, I did not count in first round contracts because there's more top tier 3rd contract veterans in the league that aren't 1st rounders because the bust rate for players is nearly equal regardless of round, and there's actually more top tier vets on 3rd contracts drafted from rounds other than the 1st in the league.
Oppy
April 01, 2022 at 04:54 pm
Just did some poking around Sportrac, which shows contract histories. I still stand by my assessment. The big, big, problematic money typically comes in 3rd contracts.
One major caveat to this is running backs, which is probably due to their generally short NFL careers. 2nd contracts are often the big ones for RBs, who typically peak early and whose bodies often break down early.
Guam
April 02, 2022 at 08:27 am
Never disagreed with your point about very large third contracts being a problem. Those third contracts invariably have at least part if not all of their money going to players in their 30's and that is an age when health becomes a much larger issue. There is nothing like paying a player megabucks to have him sit on the sidelines with an injury.
I was just curious about the timing of the third contract and what is the typical age span when a player in the NFL is on their third contract. My impression has been that most if not all of the third contract money gets paid to players in their 30's.
HDbikerguy
April 01, 2022 at 10:00 am
Personally, I'd be more concerned if it were a lower body injury.... and the fact he didn't need surgery after the season eases the concern even more.....
jannesbjornson
April 02, 2022 at 11:51 am
Use bigger shoulder pads...
Thegreatreynoldo
April 01, 2022 at 12:53 pm
I agree with your thoughts, Murf, not so much with your conclusion, though I am torn and would normally agree.
GB could use (needs is a little too strong) the extension/cap relief now if they want to pursue Parker, Jones, Metcalf, etc. They could sign Packer ($6.25M cap cost to acquiring team - $825K offset means a net $5.4M). Fuller and perhaps Julio Jones might be $5M or $6M. Metcalf is cheaper, around $3.1M net. They could pull the trigger now and get the cap savings later from Alexander, or failing Alexander, then Lowry/Lazard/Crosby/Lewis. Lazard and Lowry likely total $5.3M so that is close enough. Maybe they should just do Lowry/Lazard if they want to acquire Parker and do as you suggest by waiting to extend Alexander.
I would not want the Packers negotiating with Alexander if Jaire (and his agents) know for a fact that the Packers absolutely have to have cap savings to sign their practice squad come September. But if they are all-in, maybe it doesn't really matter.
Thegreatreynoldo
April 01, 2022 at 01:28 pm
I think the notion of we got a first and a second for Davante will sound better than the two players GB actually drafts. That is not a diss of Gute, but a general feeling I get from most drafts. In fact, I am more optimistic about this now because of Gute, who has a pretty good record in the first two rounds. Still, difference-makers are hard to find, which is why LV paid Adams and gave up the picks in the first place.
Two Darnell Savages would not be the worst result. I would not be jumping for joy, but pissing away the picks is not implausible.
Swisch
April 01, 2022 at 01:46 pm
This way, though, if our front office hits on half of our picks in the first and second rounds (two out of four), then we're winners with two top players going forward.
One hopes the other two are at least solid contributors in some way for some length of time.
In other words, the Packers (with their own two picks plus those from the Raiders) have the opportunity to pick four of the top 64 players in the draft -- or 6 percent, if I'm correct.
(I thought you might enjoy me trying to use the numbers, TGR, even if I'm operating on a rudimentary level. I say that humorously but also respectfully.)
Minniman
April 01, 2022 at 02:13 pm
If they stick to schematic BPA selection discipline then they will not be overly disappointed with the trade.
Listening to MLF and Gute speak I'm somewhat happier that they are thinking in terms of capability and depth over individual brilliance.
Re DA, as many here have already pointed out, he took 3-4 seasons to develop into the player that he is today - which is why I think that GB are rightfully being cautious in what they expect from the rookie WR's (irrespective of where they get drafted) - and want them as bit-part players of an overall field stretching attack.
greengold
April 01, 2022 at 08:53 pm
Take that frown & turn it upside down, Mister!
(Full disclosure, my first thought was, “The door’s right over there, buddy!”)
davekenya
April 01, 2022 at 02:16 pm
Thanks -- I agree with your sentiments expressed.
re: 'wasted picks'...I don't evaluate a trade based on how future draft picks end up panning out but instead evaluate them on the draft capital value initially received (and cap considerations) as of TODAY. Whether GB's two first rounders end up being pro bowl rookies or have season-ending injuries during training camp does not sway me in the least as to whether the trade was a good deal or not.
It's different if a trade involves player for player ... as both teams TODAY can accurately evaluate the exact talent they're trading and getting as well as fit to systems.
Spock
April 01, 2022 at 06:33 am
AARON RODGERS MEGA-TRADE ANNOUNCED!!! Okay, happy April Fool's Day everyone. I like Jaire but the post- injury play needs to happen IMHO before rolling up the Brinks truck for him.
greengold
April 01, 2022 at 08:36 am
I found your joke, logical.
Johnblood27
April 01, 2022 at 08:40 am
Fascinating...
PackEyedOptimist
April 01, 2022 at 06:40 am
I've had this nagging thought as well.
1. This draft has a lot of first-round talents at CB
2. An AC joint injury is a big deal when it comes to reinjury by tackling--I know, I've had AC joint injuries to both shoulders (the first from making a tackle playing football...). I'm not worried about Jaire reinjuring the shoulder while covering, but tackling... He has been great at tackling in form and attitude; I find it hard to believe that will continue post-injury.
PearlyBakerBest
April 01, 2022 at 09:14 am
Look no further than the dagger play at the end of the last game. He had a chance to stop Samuel short and gave a less than lackluster effort. Or so it appeared. I guess we’ll see if a full offseason of healing and training will expel that demon.
mattgsx
April 01, 2022 at 09:44 am
It isn't a popular opinion, but I have no problem with the Packers taking this extension slow. Right now, they have extra draft picks where they could draft another cornerback high this year, and if an extension can't be reached before the end of the season, they can always tag and trade Alexander next year to recoup his draft value if he has a year worthy of a monster deal.
Grandfathered
April 01, 2022 at 07:15 pm
Larry McCarran said the same thing - JA has to learn to hit softer to survive. He tends to hit harder than necessary.
NickPerry
April 01, 2022 at 06:44 am
"Don’t be surprised if Green Bay uses one of its high draft picks, perhaps even a first rounder, to take a cornerback. They need to protect themselves in case the Davante Adams scenario repeats itself with Alexander."
THIS is EXACTLY why I wanted to see Rodgers traded out of Green Bay. Not only does it present issues with getting a deal with Alexander done, but what about Jenkins, Gary, perhaps Savage and even Dillon. And what about Amos? Hell, if you think CB is a sneaky need, then Safety is a smack you upside the head need and don't even get me started on WR.
UNLESS the 2023 salary cap really does literally EXPLODE, all the contracts the Packers have reworked, adding void years to just about everybody and pushing money to the future to accommodate Rodgers, this could be a common thing in GB.
Well Rodgers, you got your money, but it might be at the disposal of several of your current teammates...
murf7777
April 01, 2022 at 07:34 am
NP…very few teams gets to having a rising star QB in the rookie contract. Those teams will all be paying those QB’s 50M per year soon. That’s the new going rate for a star QB. I’d rather pay that to a recent 2 time MVP than a Dak Prescott or D. Watson, etc….In addition, his SC is only 28M this year and I believe around 31M next.
I wasn’t a believer of signing a bunch of big contract FA’s, but thats what we did 3 years ago and now we are where we are so I had to change my thinking to playing for today and not tomorrow until this runs its course. Rodgers gives us a 2-3 year window to win it all. They will still be able to sign the most important positions like Alexander, Jenkins and Gary to back loaded contracts. Savage and Dillon will be replaceable if some team offer them a big contract. Although, RB’s rarely get BIG deals any more because they are easily replaceable thru the draft or cheap FA.
Even if they can’t sign them, they will probably trade them and go into to their inevitable rebuild, which is where we would be now if we traded Rodgers. Quite frankly, I don’t know which way would’ end better regarding Rodgers trade or not, and we will never find out, so, we are where we are, looking backwards doesn’t do anything. Yes, Rodgers got his money, but so do all other QB’s not named Tommy. Time to move on from that thought.
Oppy
April 01, 2022 at 07:56 am
Who were this “bunch of big contract free agents” you are referring to?
It’s the “big contract” part that has me puzzled.
murf7777
April 01, 2022 at 08:15 am
That would be the Smith Bro’s, Amos and Turner. Even thou you could argue they worked out, you always have to pay the Salary Cap demon sooner or later. A team that develops players during their rookie contracts and find value FA contracts win consistently. You must keep SC balance year in and year out or you end up in a rebuild that sometimes takes many years to get out of. The NFL Franchises that historically kept their SC in line are the most winning Franchises since the SC era began.
LLCHESTY
April 01, 2022 at 08:25 am
The Bengals notoriously keep their salary cap in line. This is the first year they've been in the playoffs in how long?
murf7777
April 01, 2022 at 09:00 am
That’s true and other examples are there, but that doesn’t mean they make other good management decisions. You won’t find examples in the top five winningest nfl franchises since the SC era who put themselves into SC hell. They manage and hold it precious like gold. They spend it on top positions like QB, OT and players who can pressure the QB. Those franchises know what wins games consistently. Sure, there are examples of SB winners who went all-in but they don’t hold the test of time.
LLCHESTY
April 01, 2022 at 12:23 pm
The Patriots had to have a crappy, cap clearing year after Brady left, along with a curious number of guys that sat out 2020(shenanigans!). The Eagles were in cap hell a couple years after the SB. The Rams will be there sooner or later. Guess it depends if you're talking just winning or rings.
murf7777
April 01, 2022 at 03:35 pm
The Eagles are not in the winningest programs. NE had some clearing but I wouldn’t call it hell to deal with like some teams and what about NE’s other 25 years.
Gee
April 01, 2022 at 12:12 pm
So true but we both know that has more to do with Brown being a second generation cheap owner. Dude literally has done nothing but own an NFL team. I heard what the Ravens owner said about Watson's contract, would Love to hear Brown off the record opinion of it, with Cool Joe going to need a contract in the near future.
LLCHESTY
April 01, 2022 at 12:25 pm
Yeah, he's going to have to change his ways or lose Burrow. Not the only one unhappy with Haslem but he might be the most unhappy.
Johnblood27
April 01, 2022 at 08:45 am
The GBP spent big in the FA market because their usual MO was unavailable to them.
They usually re-sign their own to second contracts instead of taking other teams' players off the FA market.
TT's horrible drafting the last 3+ years of his tenure left GB with no self-FA's worth contracts, hence the dip into the FA market.
The money spent on the FA binge you mention would have gone to home grown stars if there had been any.
dobber
April 02, 2022 at 11:03 am
I keep coming back to the point that the thing that put the Packers where they are more than anything else was the cap contraction of 2021. It was an unprecedented change in NFL economics that took a lot of teams that were planning on continued cap growth in their long-term outlook and forced radical changes in their management...it forced significant and decisive changes. The Packers aren't the only team that got caught in that quagmire.
greengold
April 01, 2022 at 09:26 am
Yep.
I can’t say Jaire’s contract hasn’t entered my mind looking at the 2022 draft offerings, and our 5 selections before #92. Nor his injury. I love the guy. What a great player.
There are many unknowns for the Packers future. Maybe they know something we don’t regarding the length of AR’s remaining tenure, and the outs they may have built in, and those real cap ramifications.
I’m done with making assumptions, because it’s futile. I did find Gutekunst’s comments recently to be encouraging that Jaire’s extension may be imminent. We’ll see.
stockholder
April 01, 2022 at 07:24 am
No ring. No TOP money. He's NO MVP. Thats my view point. If he was Woodson. Pay him. If he was Rodgers. You pay him. But until he can show us he's the MVP of this defense. You pay him the league CB starting figure.---- He must want out of Green Bay.
murf7777
April 01, 2022 at 07:45 am
SH….It may be a negotiation ploy. Of course, he wants top CB pay, what all-pro/pro-bowl player doesn’t? If he plays the first 8 games like he has in the past he will be paid at or around the highest by us or some team thou. Before his injury he was talked about one of the best shut down corner. That’s what the top few at their position get, they set the new market, not just starter pay.
stockholder
April 01, 2022 at 08:02 am
Let him set it for another team. Next man up please. He lost his negotiating leverage; when Douglas and a Rookie took his place.
dobber
April 01, 2022 at 08:28 am
Geez people think way too much of Douglas. Here's a guy who was drafted early, and washed off a couple rosters because he's not terribly athletic and because teams figured out how to isolate him downfield in coverage. He did yeoman's work and played above his career showing when Gute snapped him up on a desperation flier, and I don't in any way say he didn't come in and save the Packers' bacon.
I think he's a decent 2nd and really good 3rd CB, and it's a credit to the coaching staff for masking his coverage deficiencies. If the Packers continue to ask him to be a starting outside CB, teams will eventually exploit him again. You need to rethink it if you think this defense is better off talent-wise with Douglas and not Alexander.
Johnblood27
April 01, 2022 at 08:50 am
This discussion does not seem to me to be an either-or proposition on Alexander vs Douglas.
Douglas did not get starter CB coin from GB, his financials are not a measuring stick for JA.
The point is - does JA deserve to get top of the market coin from GB based upon his performance thus far?
I say no to that proposition.
Pay him for sure, set the market? NO way. Above average starter money, Im down with that, but new market top pay? Not from my checkbook if I am the GBP.
dobber
April 01, 2022 at 01:03 pm
All I'll say is that the statement made was, "a rookie and Douglas took his place"...and with the former rookie returning, that sure sounds like someone's talking replacement value.
jannesbjornson
April 01, 2022 at 09:48 am
They always have the tag. The more I look at this draft, another CB high would be in order. Maybe they look at the safety spot with Brisker as a Star guy. Keeping Savage for the one high or free safety says he may not earn the 5th year option.
Oppy
April 01, 2022 at 07:58 am
You realize this is all just media speculation, right? Jaire hasn’t said a word about his contract.
stockholder
April 01, 2022 at 08:05 am
Then don't make the statement:" I want to be the Top paid." Silence?/
Oppy
April 01, 2022 at 05:03 pm
Are you sure you want to use quotes there?
Because all the media reports about Alexander wanting to be the top paid CB in the league all seem to reference a tweet from Matt Schneidman.
Oddly, Matt Schneidman's tweet doesn't say ANYTHING about having talked to Jaire Alexander, and doesn't claim Jaire Alexander said he wants to be the top-paid CB in the league.
This is all media hype run amok. And, unfortunately, most sports fans don't follow the trail and see for themselves what the source of these secondary and tertiary reports is.
Here's the link to the tweet.
https://twitter.com/mattschneidman/status/1503375945117446145
Silence??
Oppy
April 01, 2022 at 05:10 pm
Lastly.. most players, regardless of actual worth, want to get the highest pay for their position in the league. The great majority understand they won't get it.
If you walk up the negotiating table and you start with a modest number, the only thing you're assured of is you're not giving yourself any chance of getting anything more.
LLCHESTY
April 01, 2022 at 08:09 am
Glad you're not the GM. Packers would look like the Texans inside of a year.
dobber
April 01, 2022 at 08:14 am
Bill O'Brien would be proud,
dobber
April 01, 2022 at 07:38 am
"When Davante Adams demanded to be the top paid receiver, there was validity behind it. Adams was and is arguably the best receiver in the game."
This case is very different from the Adams case where you had to figure out what to do with a premier player who plays a secondary position and was very likely to begin a decline soon, but was asking to be paid like he's not. Some of how a player gets paid is based on who he's been, but a lot of it is based on who he's going to be over the lifetime of the contract. Alexander's a star player at a marquee position just entering his prime. You've got to pay the man. In the end, it always comes down to guarantees. They will find a way to structure a deal so he gets his and the Packers push the worst of the hit off into 2024 and beyond. That gets Alexander his money and gives the Packers a safety net in case he has injury issues or turns into a fat cat.
We know how this will work: they'll sign JA to a big deal, and he'll be supplanted within 6-8 months, and by the end of the contract he'll be well down the salary list. The Ramsey deal hasn't been supplanted as the highest for almost two years, now, which is unusual. Usually those deals set the market and are surpassed soon after. I still expect that even if they give Alexander a big AAV contract, there will be enough back-loaded cash value and roster bonus money that the Packers will make it manageable. Alexander's reps know they have the Packers over a barrel right now--the Packers need an extension AND they need cap relief, and everyone knows it. It doesn't bode well for negotiations from the team's perspective.
"You can’t help but notice that Jaire does get beaten now and then. He loves to press and take chances, and he sometimes gets burned. "
EVERY CB gets burned, and if the best are regularly covering target funnel, top-end WR, they're going to be in a position where they make plays, but give up plays. That's why those WR are elite: they're going to beat guys, too. Go watch Jalen Ramsey's film: he gets beat, too. More often than you'd think. But he takes a lot of things away, too, and part of that is his physicality which is hard to match for a guy of Alexander's stature. Most of the high-end CBs you list are big guys....Jaire isn't so much. The big deal for JA is hanging onto INTs. He'll be a monster once he figures out how to use those lobster claws effectively.
murf7777
April 01, 2022 at 07:50 am
Dobber as always, very well stated! The same happened when we signed Adams to his second contract when he was entering his prime, by the end it was a great deal and he totally proved his worth throughout that contract. Except for the QB position, I’m not in favor of paying the top $’s for a 3rd contract. The odds are not in favor of the team signing the contract.
dobber
April 01, 2022 at 08:15 am
Not to mention Bakhtiari. That second contract turned out to be a steal.
murf7777
April 01, 2022 at 08:18 am
Yes and the third?
dobber
April 01, 2022 at 08:31 am
Remains to be seen...but it's not off to a great start.
Packers hand was forced by the abject failure of the Jason Spriggs project.
Gee
April 01, 2022 at 12:32 pm
Man did Spriggs fizzle out, I was all over it when it happened.
BirdDogUni
April 01, 2022 at 10:26 pm
I was pretty pissed we traded up to get him. I was even more pissed when it turned out he was a total bust for us. (Shite happens though.)
Can't win them all.
dobber
April 02, 2022 at 11:07 am
The Combine doesn't measure "want to".
jannesbjornson
April 02, 2022 at 11:56 am
Beware TE converted to Tackles.
dobber
April 02, 2022 at 12:25 pm
He looked like a TE, and was projected as a possible TE coming out of HS, but played OL/DL all the way back into HS and was a four-year starter on the OL at Indiana.
greengold
April 01, 2022 at 09:31 am
Righteous.
MarkinMadison
April 01, 2022 at 08:11 am
I think 2021 was probably a different year in terms of JA getting burned. I think he was going for more big plays than he had in the past. Maybe he was even encouraged to do so. Maybe it was a contract/stats thing for him. Or maybe he was just frustrated at the lack of balls coming his way. Regardless, I think he got burned more in 2021 than 2020, and I don't take any real meaning from it with respect to his abilities.
Comparing superstars is tough. I value Kenny Clark as highly as most value Aaron Donald. Most would say I'm wrong. Most would say AD is unique for his sideline-to-sideline ability. That's fine, but that is the problem with comparing these guys. There are nuanced differences in systems that I don't appreciate. There are different strengths and weaknesses to players that you can't just compute out. Do I think that JA is better than Ramsey? I definitely think that he is every bit as good as Ramsey. But he is a lot smaller than Ramey. JA has borderline size and that makes durability more of a concern. You could say JA is too small. Revis was close in size but had a better 3-cone. You could say Sherman's 40-time was too slow to play, but he is still playing and it was all about being brutal. There are different ways to win.
The bottom line to me is JA is 25. He is as good as anyone else. He probably will be for the next four years. Give him a three or four year deal and make him the highest paid player for those years. If he doesn't get the throws it will force the ball more towards Douglas and Stokes - and that is a good thing too.
murf7777
April 01, 2022 at 08:21 am
Mark, I agree with your thoughts. I’d like to add that all CB’s get burned at times. During the playoffs I noticed Ramsey getting burned a few times.
LLCHESTY
April 01, 2022 at 08:28 am
I would offer him the deal Ramsey signed two years ago. Teams end up paying for the mistakes that teams like the Texans and Rams make when they trade for top players and don't make a new contract part of the deal. Nevermind the idiocy of the Browns recently. When you trade a bundle of picks for a player on the last year of his deal his agent has all the leverage; trade him, lose him or piss him off with a franchise tag. Then other players see that new deal as the new norm.
Hopefully Alexander will take a $20 million AAV deal.
DougXX57
April 01, 2022 at 08:37 am
this is a tricky one as he was hurt for almost the whole year and the last thing you want to do is sign a player long term if he is injured. I can see a nice contract with a lot less guaranteed money for just that reason. Will he take it? probably not as player now are looking for a lot of that guaranteed money and I guess you can't blame them. One hit and your career could be over. He is the best corner we have..
HDbikerguy
April 01, 2022 at 10:13 am
Not picking on you, just replying with this thought.... I'm not worried about his injury last year mostly because it didn't require surgery after the season... and, when a team is looking to make a huge commitment to a star player, I would think it's a pretty safe assumption that they know he checks out medically....
PatrickGB
April 01, 2022 at 08:45 am
In a word, YES. Just spread the cap hit out. Soon it would be passed by other players as the cap goes up and other players use it as a benchmark.
croatpackfan
April 01, 2022 at 08:49 am
I predicted that every player at premium position will ask top money. There is 2 reasons. First, players also expect substantial increase of SC and second, if you can pay aged choker that amount why should they accept less what they can ask.
HarryHodag
April 01, 2022 at 09:09 am
I'm wondering if the thought is, as others have said, that Jaire could pack a #1 pick(or more) in a trade.
Routinely you don't ship that kind of talent away but you might not be able to afford him either. If he isn't put into his traditional role he might get frustrated and walk anyway like Adams did. There are some extremely talented(Stokes level) players this year in the draft. Good cornerbacks are also becoming a dime-a-dozen.
I hate to sound like Ted Thompson did but a trade to an AFC team in need of a corner might make some sense rather than try to put yet another max contract on the books.
MarkinMadison
April 01, 2022 at 10:37 am
I could see a world where it might make sense to trade JA for a top WR, but I don't think it is going to happen. One thing we (or at least I) have been talking about since the Love/Dillon draft was how this team is setting up to be D-heavy and run-first, which helps out aging stars (e.g. Payton Manning) and mediocre QBs alike. You look at Gutey's recent comments about how they want to use JA and I have to think now, more than ever, that this is the path that the Packers are on. Stone 'em with the D. Wear 'em down with the run. Sprinkle in the QB magic here and there. It worked for Payton in Denver. It can work for Rodgers here.
croatpackfan
April 01, 2022 at 11:26 am
"It can work for Rodgers here."
I have no problem with that kind of approach. But I doubt that Diva will be satisfied with the role of P. Manning and accept to have 3 to 5 highlights per game. He enjoys to much to be under the lights.
davekenya
April 01, 2022 at 02:21 pm
This makes sense...and represents a sound GB management perspective given the uncertainty about their QB value after 2022 (if AR leaves/retires). Minimizing the impact a QB MUST MAKE for the team to be successful just makes sense. We haven't had to approach the overall team composition and value in this way for 20 years.
Hematite
April 02, 2022 at 06:45 am
👍
greengold
April 01, 2022 at 09:38 am
Oh, how the world would freak out if Aaron Rodgers were dealt to the Giants in a blockbuster. The feasibility of giving Jaire his bag would make a lot more sense.
I’ll be looking way more closely to NYG picks #5 & #7… for possible June 1 reference.
jhtobias
April 01, 2022 at 09:43 am
You might get a bunch of thumbs down from the dinosaurs on this site but you are right on. Kudos for being a foward thinkiner
jhtobias
April 01, 2022 at 09:43 am
You might get a bunch of thumbs down from the dinosaurs on this site but you are right on. Kudos for being a foward thinkiner
BruceC1960
April 01, 2022 at 10:37 am
What causes you to bring up the Giants all of a sudden?
greengold
April 01, 2022 at 12:56 pm
Hey Bruce, the NYG is not an all of a sudden mention.
Giants were in the rumors for AR 11 months ago when the DEN thing got hot after the Draft Day 1 fiasco. They were just rightly back burnered for lack of draft assets.
Only thing different is:
1. Giants still have Jones at QB who their entire fan base hates.
2. QB is the far and away #1 weakest draft position group.
3. NYG stockpiles picks #5, 7, 36, 67, 81
Is there ONE person here who thinks Aaron Rodgers would hate being the most talked about athlete in NY? In the largest media market in the world?
NYG and their fans are DYING for just such an add. This is the last I make mention of this.
BruceC1960
April 01, 2022 at 04:40 pm
Thanks. I was hoping you had new developments. I was under the impression that trading 12 isn’t possible now due to all of the dead money involved?
pantz_bURp
April 01, 2022 at 12:20 pm
Thanks greenngold...probably slim to none chance, but I would gladly take those odds at this point. I agree with others, see how JA looks before offering the huge bucks or a meet in the middle kind of a contract due to the unknowns of the injury, etc. Timing sucked for JA. At some point, we will also need to see Bahk on the field. If there is any question to his health moving forward, I would consider moving him if there are any takers for a fair offer. Again, not to bash on Rodgers...but, if I only saw an ALL IN kind of effort/attitude from him with new teammates and approach to the Last dance last dance, I would be more open to this all in approach. But alas, I am but a fan with a 5.75 40 time. I do like JA and DA approach where they stayed rather quiet and allowed the negotiations to remain behind closed doors. Again, thanks greenngold...I will still be hoping for a miracle...DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLEs!?!
greengold
April 01, 2022 at 01:11 pm
Can you just imagine the haul, resulting in us eventually realizing five or six R1s, five R2s and three R3s, from this 2022 draft, plus players, maybe a future R1 2023??? A man can dream…
It wouldn’t suck in terms of righting the ship fiscally, nor from a football standpoint in terms of the insane talent infusion to begin the new era. Just sayin’…
Again, my last mention on this entirely, unless it happens. This could blow the doors off anything prior. Aaron would totally hate all the attention.
jhtobias
April 01, 2022 at 09:39 am
Packers got two choices 1 make him the highest-paid cornerback in the league ASAP or to trade him and another team will stop with this old school thinking the NFL is different get out of your 1980s mentality he holds the cards unless you want another Davante Adams situation where he's just not going to resign he's not going to play a franchise tag next year and the truth is the guy is about as solid as we're ever going to see it that position and is 25 years old you want extra cap room do it you're not willing to pay him trade him and you'll get some incredible Assets in return but once again you don't replace a guy like jaire Alexander stop your dinosaur thinking we do not play in the 1980s anymore heck this team was willing to pay an overpaid I only care about being an MVP 39 year old quarterback what's the issue Plus at that point you tell Jay are okay now you're the highest paid you're going to play here you're going to play here you're going to play here you're going to play here and we are going to take advantage of having the best cornerback in the league just like with Rogers shut up about not having any wide receivers who make more money than anyone make it work or shut up and redo your contract
BirdDogUni
April 01, 2022 at 09:50 am
The draft will be very telling.
TarynsEyes
April 01, 2022 at 10:03 am
When certain players start to demand to be the highest-paid player in their position a team must ask the question that Billy Bean asked himself and then found the answer in creating that player in the aggregate. This isn't an easy thing, as one must be truly honest with their evaluation of the player in question.
Would/could this player be what he actually believes he is elsewhere in any system?
Is this player so special that your team would achieve less without him?
Does or has this player been instrumental in getting you father than you have been before?
Will this player being on your team be the difference in achieving the goal the team expects?
Ask these questions if the future of your team is in your hands and decide. I made mine and the answer is no.
The aggregate might be a risk, sure, but the Packers' chances of the success expected are in the hands of the player that was just signed to $50 million a year and not a cornerback demanding to be the highest-paid when the aggregate route has already proven to have worked to the level needed.
Spiker
April 01, 2022 at 12:03 pm
In my opinion, NO. This, I want to be the highest paid crap needs to stop.. They are going to price themselves right out of a job. And by giving that idiot at QB the contract they dis was stupid,
piled on top on top of stupid
PatrickGB
April 01, 2022 at 03:51 pm
Give him a big contract that’s spread out and announce that he IS the highest paid player at his position. It may or may not be true according to the fake numbers announced. Then watch it be passed by others.
ricky
April 01, 2022 at 12:22 pm
This is predictable. Of course, Alexander is going to say he wants to be the highest paid DB in the league. What is he supposed to say, that he's just happy to be a Packer, and getting paid is irrelevant? You always start negotiations asking for the moon. Then, you see what the team will pay you, and make your decision based on what is in your best interest. He is a professional with a relatively short time to make as much money as possible. The question being, will it be the Packers or another team that will be willing (and able) to meet his price? As far as "hometown discount" or other thoughts like that, remember, this is a business. The Packers will dump a player without a second thought. Loyalty is a one way street in the NFL; we expect players to be loyal, but are fine with the team dumping anyone who underperforms, or if the team can find a younger, cheaper replacement.
davekenya
April 01, 2022 at 02:28 pm
"The Packers would love to get an extension done with him as quickly as possible in order to create a little more breathing room under the salary cap." -- maybe?
Given they now have Douglas and Stokes locked up for 3 years...and that JA (like Douglas and Stokes) is an outside rather than slot corner...I would not be surprised if the brain trust could see more value to the team in not paying JA mega bucks but using that money elsewhere after 2022 and/or at worst tagging him and he plays only 2023 for the team or gets traded like Adams did. (Are the Raiders on speed dial??)
Don't get me wrong, it's utterly fantastic having 3 top tier CBs on the roster; especially if one were to be hurt you have insurance. Just could see a bit of redundancy at the outside CB position...compared to roster weaknesses elsewhere that could be shored up
Swisch
April 01, 2022 at 04:56 pm
You can never have too many talented cornerbacks, but then again, you can run out of the money to pay them.
Thegreatreynoldo
April 01, 2022 at 02:31 pm
Yes, of course you make Jaire the highest paid, but just my a million or two.
Of course Alexander wants to be the highest paid CB. He either is the best CB or he is at worst in the top 3. As the newest elite CB to enter the market, and one after the Covid Cap decline, of course he will get more money than Ramsey in a year when the cap is $208M versus $198M.
No, GB should not pay everyone the most at their position. We have been blessed to have the best WR, CB, QB, and LT. GB is paying the top dollar because they have players who can command those types of contracts.
Yes, it might not be possible to pay top dollar at QB, WR, LT, and CB (with OLB a possibility coming soon if Gary continues to ascend) for the long term. But it can be done for a short window, say 2 to 3 years. Jenkins is yet another issue coming soon. I might need to explain the rules about issuing two franchise tags, one for Jenkins and one for Alexander.
GB will have ONE tag for 2023. Will it be for Alexander ($19.1M) or Jenkins ($17.9M)? Deciding these possibilities now. Since Jenkins is out with an injury, I'd prefer to save the only tag for him in case he gets OT money offers in 2023 and pay Jaire now.
Swisch
April 01, 2022 at 04:53 pm
One thing I like a lot about the Packers is that it seems we try to keep our own guys around as long as possible -- which is great for a team continuity that contributes to winning, while facilitating a relationship between players and fans that I think enhances the experience for both sides.
That being said, after having made a fair offer based on the going rate, though not necessarily matching it, I'm okay with letting players go.
To me, the players have to have some reason for staying with the Packers other than just the money. They have to want to be here, and to want to work out a deal that works for all concerned with the franchise.
***
This seems to have been the case with Aaron Jones last offseason, who maybe didn't get the absolute top dollar but still a lucrative contract. That kind of cooperation by a player really endears him to me as a fan.
Those are the kind of guys I want to see in a Packers uniform on autumn Sundays, and the kind of guys who I believe will make the team into real winners.
Then, on the contrary, there's the case of Aaron Rodgers, egomaniac and mercenary. I don't think those are too strong of words.
I've already explained the reasons about as thoroughly as I can, and will spare fans here at CHTV the repetition.
All that I will say now is that I don't understand why other fans would get upset at me for merely pointing out what Rodgers has done to mistreat us, instead of getting mad at him.
Instead of saying I'm obsessed with Rodgers, one might consider why he seems to be so little concerned about us.
myabfr
April 01, 2022 at 03:51 pm
Not suggesting that their skills are the same but didn't Kevin King have similar shoulder issue as Jaire? Seems KK not a great tackler and wonder if Jaire starts to avoid hitting to protect the shoulder. The medical staff should be sure shoulder is OK before Packers give Jaire a huge contract. I think they should wait until mid season before committing to a new deal.
Swisch
April 01, 2022 at 05:01 pm
Good point about injuries being an important consideration before handing out huge contracts.
The injury factor is a sad part of the game, but we're talking about enormous amounts of money that can burden a team for years with a guy who is forced to sit on the sidelines.
If some other team is ready to risk exorbitant amounts on Jaire, we may have to let him go.
In other words, in my book at least, there are no players that should be signed at any cost.