The Baltimore Ravens have made a significant move to bolster their secondary, signing two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander to a one-year contract. The deal, widely reported to be worth a $4 million base salary with the potential to reach up to $6 million through performance-based incentives, brings one of the NFL’s premier defensive backs to Baltimore. The signing became official on June 18, 2025, the second day of the team’s minicamp.
Alexander’s arrival is highlighted by a highly anticipated reunion with Ravens franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson. The two were not only teammates at the University of Louisville but also close friends. Jackson played a pivotal role in bringing Alexander to Baltimore, publicly urging General Manager Eric DeCosta to sign the corner after his release from the Green Bay Packers on June 9. Reports indicate that Alexander chose the Ravens over more lucrative offers from approximately a dozen other interested teams, driven in large part by the opportunity to play alongside Jackson again. Jackson was reportedly the first player to welcome Alexander after he put pen to paper.
Bolstering the Ravens Secondary
Adding Jaire Alexander immediately injects high-end talent into the Ravens’ cornerback group. Alexander is projected to step into an outside cornerback role, likely opposite talented second-year pro Nate Wiggins. This alignment allows four-time Pro Bowler Marlon Humphrey, the veteran leader of the unit, to utilize his versatility by playing a significant amount of snaps inside, primarily in the slot.
The move creates an exceptionally deep and flexible secondary for Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr. Alongside Humphrey, Wiggins, and Alexander, the room includes veterans like Chidobe Awuzie (signed this offseason), Jalyn Armour-Davis, second-year player T.J. Tampa, and rookie draft picks Bilhal Kone and Robert Longerbeam. This wealth of options provides Orr with numerous possibilities for mixing and matching defensive backs to counter opposing offenses. The addition is particularly timely, as the Ravens gave up the second-most passing yards in the league last season, and Alexander is expected to help significantly address this area of concern. With Alexander, Humphrey, and safety Kyle Hamilton, the Ravens’ secondary now boasts three former All-Pro selections.
Elite Talent When Healthy
When on the field, Jaire Alexander has consistently performed at an elite level. Since entering the league as the 18th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, he’s earned Pro Bowl selections in 2020 and 2022, along with Second-Team All-Pro honors in those same years. During his seven seasons with the Packers, he accumulated 287 tackles, 70 passes defended, and 12 interceptions in 78 career games.
Despite recent limitations due to injuries, Alexander’s talent remains highly regarded. Pro Football Focus recently ranked him as the NFL’s ninth-best cornerback heading into the 2025 season. Notably, his 89.5 coverage grade over the past three years is tied for the second-highest among all NFL cornerbacks with Pat Surtain II, a testament to his effectiveness even with reduced playing time. Known for his physical style, Alexander thrives on the challenge of covering the league’s top wide receivers.
The Crucial Question: Durability
The primary factor for Alexander’s success in Baltimore will undoubtedly be his health. While his talent is undeniable, staying on the field has been a significant challenge in recent years. After missing just four games in his first three NFL seasons, Alexander has been sidelined for a total of 34 games over the past four years. This includes playing only four games in 2021 due to a shoulder injury and just seven games in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons due to ongoing issues, including a torn PCL in his right knee in Week 8 of 2023, which required arthroscopic surgery on January 1, 2025.
This recent injury history, combined with a significant $24.6 million cap hit for the 2025 season (the third highest on their roster), contributed to the Green Bay Packers’ decision to release him on June 9 after failing to reach an agreement on a contract restructure that would have involved a pay cut. As Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst stated, Alexander’s contributions were valued, but the situation made him “too injured and too expensive” for the team moving forward. His release, termed “shocking” by some, occurred just nine days before signing with the Ravens.
Despite the missed time, Alexander demonstrated effectiveness in limited action in 2023, recording 16 tackles, two interceptions (including a pick-six), and seven pass defenses in his seven games, earning a 75.2 PFF grade.
High Reward, Potential Steal for Contenders
The signing of Jaire Alexander is a high-upside move for a Baltimore Ravens team squarely within its Super Bowl window. While the risk associated with his recent injury history is evident, the potential reward of adding a healthy, motivated Alexander is immense. At 28 years old, he is only two seasons removed from a dominant 2022 campaign where he racked up five interceptions and 14 passes defended.
With Alexander looking to prove himself on a one-year deal and reuniting with his close friend and former teammate, the Ravens could potentially have secured a complete steal at his reported contract value if he can regain his form and availability. The addition further strengthens a Baltimore squad already considered a top contender, ready to face the challenges of a competitive AFC North division featuring elite quarterbacks.
The story of Alexander joining the Ravens, spurred by a franchise quarterback’s direct plea and sealed by a friendship stretching back to their college days and the 2018 NFL Draft (where both were first-round picks), adds a compelling narrative layer to a move that significantly impacts Baltimore’s Super Bowl aspirations.
References
- www.baltimoreravens.com
- www.si.com
- www.newsweek.com
- sports.yahoo.com
- <a href="https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/baltimoreravenssignprobowlcbjairealexanderaftergreenbaypackersrelease/s11723642344434″>www.yardbarker.com
