As NFL free agency draws near, the Green Bay Packers find themselves grappling with pivotal personnel choices. While the futures of many Packers hang in the balance, the contract statuses of cornerback Jaire Alexander and kicker Brandon McManus loom especially large.
Jaire Alexander: Superstar CB With Lingering Injury Concerns
Once hailed as a shutdown corner, the two-time All-Pro has seen his on-field impact curtailed by injury in recent seasons. Alexander has suited up for just 14 contests over the past two years, leading some within the Packers organization to privately question his ability to stay healthy and play through pain.
With a hefty $17.5 million price tag for the 2025 season, the Packers brass must determine if the rewards outweigh the risks with the 28-year-old Alexander. Releasing him would free up nearly $6.8 million in immediate cap space, a tantalizing proposition for a franchise aiming to retool on the fly.
Brandon McManus: Veteran Kicker Seeks Stability
McManus provided a steadying presence for the Packers’ previously shaky kicking game upon his midseason arrival. The 33-year-old drilled 50 of his 51 field goal and extra point attempts, quickly endearing himself to the Lambeau faithful.
If we were able to get Brandon back, I think certainly that would make me feel very, very, very good about that [specialist] group.
– Packers GM Brian Gutekunst
While Gutekunst’s words suggest that retaining McManus is a priority, the veteran kicker’s price point remains a key variable. Coming off a minimum salary, McManus will undoubtedly seek a more lucrative multi-year commitment.
Additional Free Agency Question Marks
Center Josh Myers and defensive standouts like T.J. Slaton, Isaiah McDuffie, and Eric Wilson also have uncertain futures in Green Bay. The Packers will need to be judicious with their spending, as massive contract extensions for cornerstones Josh Jacobs and Kenny Clark loom on the horizon.
Gutekunst’s Balancing Act
As Gutekunst works to assemble a roster that can vault the Packers back into Super Bowl contention, he faces a delicate juggling act. Locking up homegrown standouts and trusted veterans must be weighed against the constant need for financial flexibility.
With the Packers at a crossroads, these contract deliberations will chart the course for the franchise’s future. In the coming weeks, Titletown will wait with bated breath to see which familiar faces remain and which move on to new NFL destinations.
