Veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander reportedly has informed the Philadelphia Eagles that he is stepping away from football and is contemplating retirement, according to multiple reports.
The Eagles acquired Alexander and a 2027 seventh-round pick from the Baltimore Ravens for a 2026 sixth-rounder last week.
Alexander hadn’t traveled with the team for Monday night’s 13-10 win over the Green Bay Packers, his former team. On Sunday, ESPN’s Tim McManus reported that the Birds had a “plan in place both for Alexander’s knee and for his acclimation to their defensive system and decided it was best to have him stay back and continue his preparations.”
He was one of several additions the team made ahead of last week’s trade deadline, including edge-rusher Jaelan Phillips and slot corner Michael Carter II.
Defensive end Za’Darius Smith, meanwhile, signed with the Eagles after Week 1 but decided to retire in October. Shortly thereafter, Brandon Graham re-signed with the team after retiring in the offseason.
As for Alexander, the 28-year-old spent his first seven seasons with the Packers before being released in June. He was a first-team All-Pro selection in both 2020 and 2022.
He then signed with the Ravens but was surprisingly a non-factor despite the team’s injuries in the secondary, appearing in just two games. He had surgery for a knee issue last January and his recovery ultimately cost him about a month of practice this summer.
Injuries had limited him to just 14 total games between the 2023-24 seasons.
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