Should The Steelers Consider Trading For Jaire Alexander?

It’s well known that the Steelers will need to address the cornerback room at some point this offseason, especially with it becoming increasingly likely that the only returning players will be Joey Porter Jr., Cory Trice, and Beanie Bishop. With the latter two viewed primarily as depth pieces, the need for starting-caliber additions—whether through free agency or the draft—has become pressing.

Enter the Packers and their fractured relationship with star cornerback Jaire Alexander. Over the past two years, the relationship between the organization and the 28-year-old has deteriorated to the point where Green Bay is now rumored to be shopping its former cornerstone defensive back. Now, more than ever, it seems both parties are ready to go their separate ways, creating another potential avenue for the Steelers to bolster their secondary.

What does he offer?

The former 18th overall pick in 2018 has built an impressive resume, earning a spot on the 2018 All-Rookie Team, as well as Second-Team All-Pro honors in both 2020 and 2022, among other accolades. He has established himself as one of the league’s most recognized cornerbacks in recent seasons.

As a player, Jaire is regarded as a true lockdown corner who can be trusted to hold his own on an island against nearly any receiver in the league. He has been able to carve himself a role in the league as a shutdown outside corner even though coming into the league his smaller frame raised questions if he could survive on the outside but he has in-fact thrived due to his elite ball skills and athleticism.

Jaire possesses a highly desirable mentality for the cornerback position—he never backs down from a big matchup, and thanks to his confidence and talent, he has often come out on top throughout his career. However, that same mentality has also led to off-field issues, including suspensions and tensions with the Packers organization.

When it comes to red flags, Alexander has a few after seven seasons as a pro. The biggest concern is his injury history—over the past four seasons, he has played in just 34 games due to recurring shoulder and soft tissue issues. Given the struggles the Steelers faced with Donte Jackson’s health last season, they will likely be cautious about investing in another veteran cornerback with a history of injuries.

Another red flag with Alexander is his tackling ability. Steelers cornerbacks are expected to be reliable in run defense, and coming off a 2024 season where he posted a missed tackle percentage of 20%, his skill set may not align with the physical demands of Pittsburgh’s defensive scheme.

Lastly, the Steelers would need to take on Alexander’s contract, which essentially has two years remaining. According to Spotrac, he carries a $17.1 million cap hit for the 2025 season—a significant number, but likely not the Steelers’ biggest concern given their $60 million in cap space heading into the offseason

Is it worth doing?

Alexander would undoubtedly provide the Steelers with the highest-ceiling acquisition for their cornerback room. Pairing him with Joey Porter Jr. would allow both to stay on their respective sides without needing to shadow the opposition’s top receiver. This kind of partnership on the outside could elevate the Steelers’ coverage, reducing the pressure on the pass rush and giving them more time to get home.

With all that being said, I think taking a swing on Jaire could be worth the outlined risks, as he provides another potential elite talent on the defensive side of the ball—one that could be acquired for pennies on the dollar.

What do you think? Would you take a chance on Alexander this offseason, or do the concerns outweigh the potential reward? And if you would make a move, what would you be willing to give up to get him?