Copyright Mechanicsburg Patriot News
An Eagles trade acquisition is considering retiring before even playing a down. Jaire Alexander, the All-Pro cornerback acquired by the Eagles ahead of the trade deadline, has decided to step away from football, FOX’s Jay Glazer first reported on Tuesday. Glazer reported that Alexander, 28, is stepping away “to try to focus on getting himself right physically and mentally before deciding on his future.” The Athletic’s Dianna Russini later reported that Alexander is “contemplating retirement.” Alexander did not play in Monday’s win over the Green Bay Packers, and he did not travel with the team. The reason why he was inactive was “knee/coach’s decision,” per the Eagles. “The team believes he still is acclimating to the defensive system, still recovering from a knee injury, and decided it was best for him to stay back to focus on his recovery and preparations for the remainder of the season,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported over the weekend. Alexander, a two-time All-Pro with the Packers in 2020 and 2022, was acquired by the Eagles on Nov. 1 from the Baltimore Ravens. Philadelphia sent a 2027 sixth-round pick to Baltimore in exchange for Alexander and a 2027 seventh-round pick. Taking a flier on Alexander was an understandable move by Howie Roseman and the Eagles. Alexander was a 2018 first-round pick by Green Bay and a standout player in its secondary for half a decade. Injuries cut his 2023 and 2024 seasons short, leading to his release. Alexander signed an one-year deal with the Ravens but was a healthy scratch for five of seven games. The Eagles needed cornerback help, so Roseman threw a dart. Turns out, that dart might have missed the board, costing the Eagles a late-round pick swap in the process.
