Ex-Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander opens up about leaving football Former Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander shared a deeply personal account of his decision to retire from football, detailing the physical and mental challenges he faced after being released by the Packers in 2025. The piece, published on The Players Tribune, reflects on his journey from a celebrated player to someone grappling with the emotional fallout of leaving the team he once called home. Alexander, who was cut by the Packers prior to the 2025 season, described the physical toll of a recurring knee injury that limited his effectiveness during the latter part of his tenure with the team. His first game with the Baltimore Ravens in the 2025 season was marked by struggles, and after being traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, he announced his retirement in November 2025. In the article, he acknowledged the lingering pain of his departure, stating, “People still sometimes ask me if I’m ever gonna come back and play. And, you know what … I’ll never say never − I still work out, and the knee’s fine now, so I’m in good shape. But for me, right now, the most important thing really is just to be in a good place overall. To be happy.” Alexander recounted the events leading to his release, including his frustration over the Packers’ delayed response to his request for an iPad to review game film and prepare for the 2025 season. He noted that the team’s hesitation signaled the end of his time with Green Bay. “Not long after that, they got in touch about a potential pay cut,” he wrote. “And, you know what … I understood. I was making a lot of money. I just got hurt. I had no problem with taking less money and having to prove my value again.#green_bay_packers #philadelphia_eagles #baltimore_ravens #jaire_alexander #the_players_tribune
