Jaire Alexander

Reports this morning are that the Packers are going to release Alexander. He's a very good CB, and still on the right side of 30.
I know he's struggled with injuries the last couple years, but is he worth taking a shot at? He's likely going to be fairly expensive (what reputable CB isn't?) but won't cost any draft picks or players. With the Steelers under the cap, might be a good time to upgrade the secondary and see what he can offer to a secondary that never seems to gel very well.

 

I already posted this in the general forum.

 

I apologize. Didn't see it.

 

If he was released, is there a waiver system in the preseason?

 

Ok

That can be merged here then

 

Yes, but as a veteran with 4+ seasons of experience in the league, Alexander won't have to pass through waivers and can sign with anyone interested.

 

What about the DE/OLB we got from the Packers last year? Preston Smith? Whatever happened to him? Did he even play?

 

13 tackles and 2 sacks.

Though it felt like Jeremiah Moon was more visible

 

For the limited playing time 2 sacks was good

Smith was released by the Steelers on February 14, 2025

 

Preston Smith was one of my guys.... I knew Washington was blowing it.
Great career in GB.

I think they need a way to find a WR.

 

Jaire Alexander wouldn't come to Pittsburgh for the reasons @Thor outlined and then some. For one, he sure as hell isn't coming here on a two year deal. If I am Jaire, I would maximize my value one more time given that said contract could be my last; injuries or otherwise. This isn't to say that Jaire will look to be the highest paid Corner in Football but he sure isn't going to be had for a cheap price. For two, Pittsburgh still needs to address T.J. Watt. That by itself doesn't sound like a big deal but not getting it done right away while signing others like Jaire, someone who will command some good money, isn't the best message to send. Finally, for three, signing Jaire is nothing more than admitting that Cory Trice simply isn't going to be much of a factor in 2026 due to his extensive injury history. To that point, Pittsburgh's depth at the position isn't good as it stands; Trice's health notwithstanding complicating matters. However, given Jaire's own injury history, is Pittsburgh willing to roll the dice again on said position?! I personally doubt that the team would.


In short?! Jaire Alexander would be a quality pickup but the amount of money he will seek prices himself out of Pittsburgh's range. 2026 is where the team should attack the position should Cory Trice and/or Joey Porter Jr not live up to expectations.

 

The two main reasons to me would be past maturity/character issues and the potential that Trice, Echols, Bishop, and/or Kent develop. Slay was a one-year bridge that didn't affect their comp formula and allowed another year for Trice to develop as a boundary. If things don't look good by year's end I imagine corner will be moving on up the list of draft/FA needs.

 

we have to extend porter next year.

 

I’d have to respectfully disagree with you here. I don’t see him getting a big contract at all. With his injury and character questions nobody is offering him CB1 money at this stage. The Packers couldn’t trade him and I expect that a lot of the league will be wary of committing beyond one year.

 

Alexander will likely sign a "prove it" kind of deal somewhere. Nobody is going to throw a long term contract at him.

 

All it takes is the right team. It is seen all the time in the NFL. Some teams will get desperate enough to do so. Hell, even a team in the NFC North not named Green Bay just may.

 

Id be surprised if he gets more than $10m on a one year deal, but we will see.

There is a reason the Packers are cutting him, the rest of the league will be well aware of that fact.

 

Going to be interesting to see what he signs for.
The Packers couldn't trade him because no one was willing to take on his $17 million contract.
He wouldn't renegotiate with the Packers to convert more of his pay to performance based.
So, the immovable object will meet the, um, uninterested force.

 

Preston Smith salary was around $13 million for 161 snaps for the Steelers last year.

Draft pick Jack Sawyer should be a good replacement for Preston Smith and be about 10 times cheaper.

 

Nope

He was paid $2,023,529

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/earnings/_/id/16762/preston-smith

https://overthecap.com/player/preston-smith/3886

 

LoL

 

What????!!!!!????

 

Dude, seriously. Where are you getting your numbers?

 

Pittsburgh Steelers release Preston Smith, creating $13.4 million in cap savings | Over the Cap


2025 Salary for Jack sawyer $840,000
Jack Sawyer | NFL Contracts & Salaries | Spotrac.com