The Green Bay Packers may not be the favorites to win the NFC North this year (that honor still goes to the Detroit Lions), but they aren’t going to surprise anyone with how competitive they are in 2024. Last season, following the trade of Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets, there was a lot of doubt from fans and the media regarding the Packers’ chances of putting a good football team on the field.
While Green Bay did start off slow and inconsistent in 2023, they finished the year winning seven of their last ten games and made the NFL Playoffs as a seventh seed in the NFC. They also knocked former head coach Mike McCarthy and the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round.
This year, the NFL knows what the Packers are capable of, and they logically will be even better because Jordan Love and their young pass catchers now have a year of playing together under their belts. Additionally, veteran players that were injured or had a down year last season are poised to bounce back in 2024, which will make the team even better as a whole.
Of all of these players, PFF believes it will be a two-time Pro Bowl defensive star who has the best bounce back season in Green Bay.
Green Bay Packers Cornerback Jaire Alexander Did Not Have a Great 2023 NFL Season
The 2022 season was arguably the best year of Jaire Alexander’s career. In his first season back from a devastating shoulder injury that limited him to four games in 2021, he had a career-high five interceptions and accumulated 14 pass deflections. While covering opponents’ top receivers, he only allowed 572 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games.
He also limited opposing quarterbacks to a 59.8% completion percentage and a 63.7 passer rating. Alexander was named a Second Team All-Pro and made his second career Pro Bowl.
Based on his dominating 2022 season, the expectations were high for him in 2023. However, he instead had one of his worst.
Granted, Alexander was limited to seven games last season. He missed nine games due to injury and one because the Packers suspended him after a series of incidents that culminated with his coin toss antics against the Carolina Panthers.
Injuries and suspension aside, the two-time All-Pro also underperformed when he was on the field. He did not log a single interception and allowed 66.7% of passes thrown his way to be completed. Additionally, quarterbacks had a 113.4 passer rating when targeting him.
By all accounts and numbers, 2023 was a disaster for him.
Green Bay Packers Coaches Have Had High Praise for Jaire Alexander This Offseason
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Last offseason, Alexander remained in Green Bay to workout at the team’s facilities. However, when the rest of the team started to report for voluntary organized team activities, Alexander left town to continue preparing for the season on his own. This decision cost him approximately $700,000 in a workout bonus.
This offseason, however, Alexander has been present for every single phase of the Packers’ offseason program. Not only has he been present, but he has been the leader and example that the coaches expected him to be.
In an interview with the media earlier this offseason, new passing game coordinator Derrick Ansley (who was the defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers last season) said of Alexander:
“I can’t really speak on what happened last year, and in the past, but when I’ve gotten here and Haf’s gotten here, we’ve seen nothing but his best. He’s been in here two or three weeks before we started Phase 1, working with the strength coaches, getting ahead. Phenomenal attitude.
“He’s been here every day for Phase 2. He’s leading that group the right way. He’s breaking down the groups. A lot of energy every morning. He’s been the same guy, so he’s been a joy to work with that way. We’re proud of that. We don’t take that for granted and we expect a lot out of him because he’s got a lot to give.”
In other words, the attitude and dedication Alexander is displaying this offseason is a complete 180 from what it was last offseason.
This renewed work ethic and an offseason in which he was able to heal lead many to believe that he could have an amazing season in 2024.
PFF Predicts a Bounce Back Season for Green Bay Packers Star Jaire Alexander
Bradley Locker of PFF recently wrote an article in which he identified the best bounce back candidate on each team. Of Alexander being the Packers’ best candidate, he wrote:
“Alexander talks a lot of smack, and he regularly backs it up. The issue in 2023 was that compound back and shoulder ailments limited Alexander to only 560 snaps, the fewest in a year of his career.
“Alexander’s track record has been stellar, grading above 80.0 in 2022 and 2020 and not surrendering more than two touchdowns in any season since 2019. With a clean bill of health, the 27-year-old should instantly boost a revamped Packers defense looking to return to its fierce ways.”
This explanation does not even take into account the fact that Joe Barry was replaced as defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, who has worked with some of the best cornerbacks in the game during his time as a defensive backs coach.
If Alexander stays healthy, there is no reason for him not to be an All-Pro again in 2024.
