By Sunday 
The Detroit Lions may already boast one of the most promising secondaries in the league—but sometimes, opportunity knocks too loudly to ignore. That may be the case right now, thanks to a surprise roster shake-up in Green Bay.
Jaire Alexander Hits the Market — Could Detroit Strike?
It’s not every day that a two-time All-Pro cornerback gets cut loose, especially by a division rival. But that’s exactly what happened when the Green Bay Packers decided to release Jaire Alexander. The 28-year-old was set to earn $24.6 million this season, a price tag that seemed too steep for the Packers—especially given his recent injury history and reported frustrations behind the scenes.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Green Bay officially moved on from Alexander after failing to find a suitable trade partner. He wasn’t willing to restructure his deal, and the team clearly wasn’t willing to overpay.
Now, he’s a free agent. And the Lions? They’re sitting in a very interesting position.
Already Good, But Could Be Great
Let’s be clear: Detroit’s cornerback room isn’t exactly hurting. With D.J. Reed, Brian Branch, Amik Robertson, and second-year breakout candidate Terrion Arnold, the Lions are stacked with young, physical, and versatile DBs.
But adding Jaire Alexander could take this unit from solid to elite overnight.
When healthy, Alexander is still one of the most dominant cover corners in the league. In 2022—his last full season—he put up 59 tackles, 29 pass breakups, and five picks. That’s not just productive—that’s lockdown. His PFF grades? An 82.1 in coverage and over 80 overall. And let’s not forget the 90.6 coverage grade he earned in 2020, arguably his career-best year.
Health is the only red flag. Over the last two seasons, Alexander has suited up for just 14 games due to shoulder and knee injuries. But if Detroit can bring him in on a short-term, incentive-heavy deal? That’s a calculated risk worth taking.
Does It Make Sense for the Lions?
Look, the Lions have been building smart. Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell haven’t thrown money around recklessly, and they’ve built a locker room culture rooted in toughness and team-first mentality. So yes, character and durability will be major concerns if Alexander’s name comes up in Allen Park.
But at the same time, this is a team gunning for a Super Bowl. And Super Bowl-caliber teams take swings at All-Pros when they suddenly become available.
Pairing Alexander with Reed on the outside, letting Branch roam, and using Arnold in hybrid or developmental roles could give the Lions one of the deepest, most dangerous secondaries in the NFL.
Will It Happen?
Probably not. If Detroit stays true to form, they’ll do their homework, evaluate fit, and pass if the risk feels too high. But the idea? It’s tantalizing.
In a division as competitive as the NFC North, stealing an All-Pro corner from your biggest rival and turning him into a weapon in your own defense? That’s the kind of chess move championship teams make.
Don’t count on it—but don’t completely rule it out, either.