Baltimore Beatdown
Earlier this week, the Baltimore Ravens made a big early-summer splash when they agreed to terms with cornerback Jaire Alexander. The Ravens signed Alexander, who was recently released by the Green Bay Packers, to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million.
It was a surprisingly low price tag for the two-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl cornerback, who when healthy is widely considered one of the NFL’s elite cornerbacks. More insight is now being given regarding Alexander’s market in free agency.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, there were two other teams Alexander was considering signing with in addition to the Ravens.
“[The] Falcons he was considering, the Miami Dolphins he was considering,” Fowler noted on Saturday on SportsCenter. “But Baltimore had the clear edge throughout that process.”
Both Atlanta and Miami would have offered Alexander a chance for a clear-cut starting role and fruitful playing time. It’s also likely they were offering more money than the Ravens were able to spend. However, as Fowler indicated, the Ravens had a decisive advantage over these two teams in the race to sign him.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter had also previously reported that the Carolina Panthers were also heavily interested in signing him after he was released by the Packers. The Ravens are in a better win-now position than any of these three teams, though, and have a long track record of signing defensive veterans with them having successful tenures in Baltimore. The connection between Alexander and Lamar Jackson also undoubtedly played a factor, too.
In Fowler’s report, he also added that Ravens’ general manager Eric DeCosta “flirted” with a trade possibility for Alexander back in March, and they made a quick call as soon as he became available earlier this month.
Evidently, the team has had significant interest in acquiring Alexander long before he obtained free agent status. Now, the seven-year veteran will look to bounce back from consecutive injury-shortened seasons in 2025 as a member of the Ravens.
While he’s struggled to stay on the field recently, Alexander is still just 28 years old and has maintained a high level of play when active. He’ll team up with Marlon Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton, Nate Wiggins and company to form a very talented defensive backfield.
