GREEN BAY, Wis. — In some methods, Jaire Alexander hasn’t modified. The 2-time All Professional cornerback for the Inexperienced Bay Packers nonetheless thinks fairly extremely of himself.
“One of the best cornerback within the league has entered the chat,” Alexander mentioned as he approached reporters within the Packers’ locker room after Wednesday’s OTA apply.
Alexander then spent a lot of the following 10 minutes explaining how issues are totally different: From being in Inexperienced Bay for your entire offseason program — one thing he principally skipped final yr — to how a lot he likes the brand new protection led by first-year coordinator Jeff Hafley and what he has modified since his one-game suspension final season for conduct detrimental to the workforce.
“Simply going into 12 months 7, at this level, I am making an attempt to not make it as a lot about myself and simply do what’s finest for the workforce,” Alexander mentioned.
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Alexander is coming off maybe essentially the most tough season of his profession. He missed 9 video games due to accidents (Weeks 3-4 and seven due to again issues and Weeks 10-15 with a shoulder damage) along with the Week 17 suspension that got here after he anointed himself a recreation captain in Week 16 in opposition to the Carolina Panthers after which almost botched the pregame coin toss.
Coach Matt LaFleur mentioned on the time that wasn’t the one motive Alexander was suspended. A supply mentioned LaFleur had fined Alexander earlier within the season.
“Ja’s been excellent,” LaFleur mentioned Wednesday. “He is been right here on daily basis, exhibits up, nice perspective, desperate to study, is on the market competing with the fellows, speaking trash, which I like as a result of I like simply amping up that stage of competitors in a enjoyable means. He is by no means demeaning. I feel he is been a fantastic teammate and been a fantastic chief for us.”
To that finish, Alexander mentioned he now not cares about being a captain as a result of he plans to play a management function it doesn’t matter what.
Alexander mentioned he has had common conferences with LaFleur and common supervisor Brian Gutekunst this offseason. He additionally praised the brand new coaches LaFleur employed. That features Hafley, new defensive passing recreation coordinator Derrick Ansley and even the brand new energy and conditioning workers led by Aaron Hill. He mentioned he already has developed a deeper reference to them.
“I would not say it was lacking,” Alexander mentioned. “However … it wasn’t as simple as it’s with this new workers. They have been nice.”
Alexander additionally has monetary motive to attend the offseason program. He has a $700,000 exercise bonus as a part of the four-year, $84 million contract extension he signed in 2022. That, nonetheless, did not entice him to take part final offseason.
“I feel the most important factor is simply understanding that though I’m on an island on a regular basis and all day, it is the end result of everyone being round and the end result of the chemistry that we’re constructing now that is going to matter in a while within the season,” Alexander mentioned. “You may see it.”
