By Dianna Russini, Michael Silver, Zach Berman and Rebecca Tauber
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Jaire Alexander has informed the franchise he is stepping away from the team to focus on getting right physically and mentally, a league source told The Athletic on Tuesday.
The Eagles acquired Alexander, 28, from the Baltimore Ravens earlier this month, along with a 2027 seventh-round pick, in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick.
Alexander had 12 interceptions in seven years with the Green Bay Packers, which included two Pro Bowl appearances following the 2020 and 2022 seasons. Last year, he tore his PCL in Week 8, had a knee scope in January and did not play for the rest of the season. The Packers released Alexander in June, and the Ravens signed him later that month.
Before Alexander’s trade from Baltimore to Philadelphia this fall, he was a healthy scratch in two games with the Ravens in October and was active but did not play a snap in Week 6.
The Eagles viewed Alexander as a low-risk acquisition, but the modest cost of the trade indicated that expectations were within reason. Alexander had an opportunity to push his way up an unsettled depth chart, although even he suggested there were no guarantees of playing time. He was supposed to compete with Adoree’ Jackson, Kelee Ringo and Jakorian Bennett for snaps on the outside, opposite Quinyon Mitchell when Cooper DeJean remained in the slot. Jackson started Monday against Green Bay. Bennett is due to come off injured reserve this week.
There was intrigue when Alexander did not travel with the Eagles to Green Bay. It sounded like the Eagles wanted to give him a chance to get healthy and acclimate to the defense, although Tuesday’s news suggests there might have been more to his absence.
This is an about-face from the excitement Alexander expressed in the locker room last Tuesday upon coming to Philadelphia. He expressed a desire to “(prove) to myself that I can be what I know I am” and suggested he was healthier than he had been all season. Alexander was born in Philadelphia, and his family remains Eagles fans.
“They were so excited when they heard conversations that I was coming here,” Alexander said of his family last week. “My mom couldn’t stop smiling. It’s always good to see them happy. They just want to see me playing.”
He added that he planned to bring “leadership,” “energy” and “swag” to the defense, and he pushed back on the idea that he was past his prime at age 28. However, he also acknowledged the humbling nature of his decline from All-Pro to journeyman.
“I’ve noticed no matter how high you are,” Alexander said, “you can be humbled.”
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