Could Jaire Alexander Fill the 49ers’ Post-Charvarius Ward Void?
Among the many key departures the San Francisco 49ers suffered this offseason, losing cornerback Charvarius Ward may leave the most glaring hole. Now a member of the Indianapolis Colts after signing a three-year deal, Ward’s exit creates an urgent need in the secondary—one that could potentially be filled by a high-profile, if polarizing, name: Jaire Alexander.
The Green Bay Packers‘ All-Pro corner is coming off a turbulent offseason full of speculation and uncertainty. While Alexander still has two years left on his contract, both he and the organization appear to be weighing their options. Trade chatter has intensified amid reports that the relationship may be fraying.
One such hint came from Packers beat reporter Kelly Hallinan, who recounted an odd moment during locker room cleanout day. When asked if he’d speak to the media, Alexander reportedly replied, “I don’t even know if I’m going to be here next year.”
Despite that, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst has publicly maintained that Green Bay is open to multiple outcomes with Alexander—be it a trade, release, or full reconciliation.
“All options are still on the table: release, trade, or return,” reported ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.
If Alexander does seek a fresh start in 2025, San Francisco could be one of the teams most interested in acquiring his services.
“I’d throw the 49ers, Rams, Steelers, and Chiefs into the mix as teams that entered the draft with CB needs and didn’t address them in the first two rounds,” wrote Albert Breer.
For the 49ers, the fit makes sense on paper. They’re in win-now mode, have a clear need at corner, and Alexander, when healthy, is one of the league’s premier defenders at the position. However, there are complicating factors—mainly his contract and injury history.
Alexander is due $17.5 million this season with a $24 million cap hit, which only rises in 2026. That price tag, paired with the fact that he’s missed significant time over the past two seasons due to injury—including a knee issue in 2024—could give teams pause.
There are also off-field concerns. Most notably, Alexander was suspended late in the 2023 season for what the Packers termed “conduct detrimental to the team” after he inserted himself as a game captain without permission.
Still, his talent is undeniable. When healthy and focused, Alexander can shut down top receivers and change the dynamics of a defense.
The 49ers must decide: Are they willing to absorb the risk—financial, medical, and cultural—for the chance to add an elite cornerback to their Super Bowl-caliber roster?
If the Packers ultimately release Alexander rather than trade him, San Francisco could pursue him without taking on his current contract—an option that might make this potential pairing significantly more attractive.
Either way, with Ward gone and the secondary in flux, Jaire Alexander is a name to watch closely as the 49ers consider their next move.
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