Believe Rasul Douglas and Don't Expect the Packers To Bring In An Outside Jaire Alexander Replacement

In the wake of Jaire Alexander's departure from the Green Bay Packers, many wondered if the team would try to add a new veteran cornerback into the mix. While the current market isn't rich with veteran cornerbacks, there are a few intriguing options, including former Packer Rasul Douglas.

However, fans expecting a reunion should put that dream to rest.

“Don't think that will happen buddy,” Douglas responded to an inquiring fan.

While Douglas said he'd accept two dollars from a fan if he comes back, the reunion seems unlikely. The Packers typically aren't a team that go for reunions.

In fact, based on recent comments from Brian Gutekunst, it would be surprising to see the Packers make any serious move toward acquiring an Alexander replacement. Anything could happen in the wake of injuries or a case of someone being terrible, but the Packers look prepared to play with the guys they have in the building.

Of course, the Packers were already used to life with Alexander, who missed significant time including all but seven games in 2024. We saw how defensive Jeff Hafley handled the former All Pro's absence by moving his corners around and using the scheme to make up for the deficiency.

Hafley's main group of Keisean Nixon, Eric Stokes, and Carrington Valentine kept the Packer defense afloat as a top 10 unit. Swapping out Stokes for Nate Hobbs should elevate the group further. It's no Legion of Boom on paper, but it's not the squad they trotted out against the Falcons in the NFCCG, either.

But while the main group might seem fine overall, concerns about the depth are fair. There isn't a lot of proven depth, and the team is even testing the waters with one of their receivers at corner.

However, as a draft-and-develop team, the Packers are no stranger to the next-man-up philosophy. The Packers would rather see what they've got in their home-grown talent rather than go to the free-agency store when possible.

In a conversation with CheeseheadTV, Gutekunst addressed cornerback depth and didn't look concerned.

"Between Kalen King, Kamal Hadden, and Micah Robinson, I think there's going to be really good competition for the backend of the roster. I'm excited to give those guys that opportunity."

Fans may be wary of relying on a trio of late-Day 3 picks and potential UDFAs, but draft capital isn't the end-all be-all. Tramon Williams and Sam Shields, both former UDFAs, are two of the most celebrated Packer defenders of the Aaron Rodgers era.

The opportunity to compete can bring out the best in young players desperate to show what they can do, and they won't get the chance if the Packers sign an aging, bigger name.

"I like where we are right now. There are some guys who are going to have to go earn it to solidify the backend of the corner group. I'd like to see those guys have the opportunity to compete for those jobs,” Gutekunst added.

Right now, adding Douglas or a similar player would make the cornerback group better. Douglas himself made a name for himself in Green Bay as a fairly unknown player and is still playing well.

But the Packers prefer to open the mystery box and see what they have in their young players. It's more of a gamble, but it's who the Packers are as a franchise. King, Hadden, or Robinson could be the next Williams or Shields, and we'll only find out if they get a fair chance to compete this summer.

If a training camp injury saps the group or if the depth players are looking more like Quinten Rollins than Sam Shields, the Packers could bring in a veteran or check out the waiver wire. But it seems unlikely it will happen in the near future.

The Packers' philosophy is to trust their scouting staff and see what they have in the players on their roster. It's why Green Bay has a long history of a UDFA making their initial roster and finding opportunities they won't get elsewhere. I've argued before I'd like to see them bring in more veterans and even use late-round picks to acquire some, but it's not who they are.

If they do hit on a young cornerback, that player can be a vital roster piece for years to come. Green Bay's success in roster building comes from getting multiple chances at the board. It might make fans uneasy, but the Packers are content to see if those bets hit rather than risk a potential lower-ceiling veteran option.