The Philadelphia Eagles are approaching an NFC showdown with the Green Bay Packers in Week 10, and they’ll do so with plenty of new faces on defense. The trade deadline brought in several players, including edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and cornerback Michael Carter II, but the most intriguing move may be the acquisition of Jaire Alexander from the Baltimore Ravens.
Any player that’s brought in in the middle of a season has a learning curve, and that may have been especially true for Alexander after playing just two games with the Baltimore Ravens this season. But The Athletic’s Zach Berman spotted Alexander working out with starting cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean under the guidance of defensive backs coach Christian Parker as the rest of the team worked on a special teams drill during Friday’s practice.
Anthony DiBona of The Philly Special also noted that working with Parker normally signals the starting cornerbacks for the following game, which may mean Alexander has a starting role as he prepares for his former team and looks to revitalize his career.
Eagles Betting Big That Jaire Alexander Can Revive His Career in Philadelphia
Alexander was acquired at the deadline because the Eagles needed plenty of help in the secondary. Mitchell and DeJean have been a strong duo in their second season in the NFL, but the depth chart behind them turned into a wasteland with Kelee Ringo, Adoree’ Jackson, and Jakorian Bennett unable to seize the final starting job.
The trade for Carter gave the Eagles some depth and perhaps another player who can play the nickel role. But Alexander had the most upside as a shutdown cornerback during his time with the Packers. After being selected to two Pro Bowls and earning a pair of second-team All-Pro selections during his time there, things fell apart due to injuries and a high salary, and Alexander was on his way to Baltimore after getting released last June.
The stint with the Ravens was disastrous as Alexander battled the residual effects of a knee injury that ended his 2024 season and allowed all five of his targets to be caught for 116 yards with a penalty, according to Pro Football Focus. But Alexander showed up on Thursday proclaiming he’s in the best shape of his career, which may be both a physical and mental claim ahead of his new role.
If Alexander can find the form he showed with the Packers, he could be a huge addition down the stretch. But if he plays like he did in Baltimore, it could be another one-way ticket out of town. Either way, the Eagles are hitching their wagons to the 28-year-old and hoping he’s the missing piece to make Vic Fangio’s defense even better.