Eric DeCosta listened to Lamar Jackson.
The Baltimore Ravens announced on Wednesday they have signed former Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander.
NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported that the one-year contract is for $4 million with $2 million in incentives, per a source informed of the deal. The incentive package includes play-time bonuses, Garafolo added: $500,000 each for hitting 35, 40, 45 and 50 percent of team snaps.
"He's excited to be here. We're excited to have him," head coach John Harbaugh told reporters Wednesday. "It made Lamar happy. I think it made everybody happy."
The move came a day after Jackson publicly stumped for the Ravens general manager to bring in his former Louisville teammate from 2015-2017.
"Go get him, Eric," Jackson said. "I love all our corners, don't get me wrong. But go get him, Eric."
Alexander boosts a corner crew that includes All-Pro Marlon Humphrey, 2024 first-rounder Nate Wiggins and veteran Chidobe Awuzie, whom the club inked this offseason. The addition solidifies the group with a proven, sticky cover cornerback. If he remains healthy, Alexander and Wiggins outside and Humphrey in the slot make for a very good trio.
The Packers released Alexander last week after seven seasons. The move came after months of uncertainty about the former Pro Bowl corner's status with the club.
Talent has never been the question with Alexander. It's availability that's been his bugaboo in recent seasons. Over the past two campaigns, the CB has played in just 14 total regular-season games due to a litany of injuries, including to his groin, back, shoulder and knee. In 2024, he missed the Packers' final eight games, including their Wild Card Round loss to the Eagles.
With the Packers unable to count on him week in and week out, they didn't want to pay $16.5 million in base salary. Sides couldn't agree to an acceptable pay cut.
Now, Alexander moves to Baltimore to help bolster the defense. That the Ravens pilfered him for a $6 million max is a steal, even if he plays half the games.
The Ravens' moves this offseason, which include the addition of first-round safety Malaki Starks, have not only injected playmaking into the secondary but have also freed up do-it-all dynamo Kyle Hamilton to be a moveable chess piece this season, where he's most valuable.
Even if Alexander doesn't stay healthy for the season, this is an excellent deal for the Ravens and one that could pay off big time if he does finally remain on the field.
