The NFL has experienced a temporary lull in action after organized team activities (OTAs) wrapped up last week. At least that was the case until a major piece of news dropped on Monday morning.
Ian Rapoport is reporting that the Green Bay Packers are planning to release star cornerback Jaire Alexander by the end of Monday. The 28-year-old ballhawk's future with the Packers has been questioned throughout the offseason, and it looks like his recent injury history proved to be too much for the franchise to ignore any longer.
The #Packers are releasing star CB Jaire Alexander today, sources say. pic.twitter.com/62YSryGYE4
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 9, 2025
While the rest of the league waits to see where Alexander will go next, his release likely means terrible news for a former Philadelphia Eagles CB who's still looking for work.
Former Eagles CB James Bradberry's Odds of Being Signed Plummet After Jaire Alexander Release
Free agent cornerbacks' value will take a hit now that Alexander is available. Despite his injury history, the former Louisville Cardinal is a two-time Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro disruptor who's still among the NFL's best defensive backs when healthy.
His availability could take attention away from other veteran CBs looking to get signed, which includes former Eagles CB James Bradberry.
Bradberry, 31, has been unemployed ever since the Eagles designated him for a post-June 1 release back in March. Philadelphia didn't see much of a future for the veteran CB in the City of Brotherly Love after missing the entire 2024 campaign due to an Achilles tear, opting to cut ties so both sides could get a fresh start.
Bradberry was always going to have a tough time being signed after such a big injury, especially at this stage of his career.
The former Eagles CB's outlook is worse now that he has to compete with Alexander for attention. The recent Packers release might have his injury woes, too; however, Alexander at least played games last season and was even graded the 19th-best cornerback (75.2) among 116 eligible players on Pro Football Focus.
For comparison, Bradberry played to a 54.4 defense grade in his last full season (2023).
With Alexander instantly becoming the top free agent CB, Bradberry likely won't be signed soon. It'll potentially take a training camp or preseason injury for an opportunity to open for the former Eagles defender, and even that isn't guaranteed, considering his recent injury history at this stage of his career.
Father Time is undefeated in professional sports, and Bradberry could opt for retirement if he remains unsigned through the summer. Fortunately, the former Eagles CB now has a Super Bowl ring in his collection and over $62.1 million in career earnings, according to Spotrac, meaning retirement might not be that tough of a decision after all.