Veteran cornerback Jaire Alexander has told the Philadelphia Eagles he is stepping away from football to focus on his physical and mental recovery before deciding his future, league sources told ESPN.
The Eagles’ next steps became clear Wednesday, when Alexander, 28, was officially placed on the Eagles’ reserve/retired list—a designation that leaves the door open for a possible return, but provides no timeline. This move follows less than two weeks after Philadelphia acquired him in a trade with the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 1, marking a rapid evolution in Alexander’s short Eagles tenure.
Leading up to this development, Alexander had recently signed with Baltimore following seven seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He earned Pro Bowl selections in 2020 and 2022, and was widely considered one of the league’s top cover corners when healthy, adding context to why Philadelphia pursued him.
For the Eagles, acquiring Alexander represented a calculated risk. The veteran had undergone right knee surgery in January and appeared in only two games this season for the Ravens before the trade. Despite these challenges, general manager Howie Roseman expressed optimism, highlighting Alexander’s youth and recent health improvements: “I think when you talk about [him] still [being] a young guy, knowing where his health is at now, feeling healthy, feeling good, we felt like the risk was worth the reward with him.” This belief now faces a significant test in light of Alexander’s decision.
The turning point came quickly after the trade: Just days later, Philadelphia announced Alexander would not travel for the Week 10 game against his former team, Green Bay, citing a “knee/coach’s decision.” What initially appeared to be a precaution for rehab proved to be more complex—sources indicate that the long-term mental and emotional toll of his injuries and shifting role in recent seasons contributed to his decision.
One person close to the situation told the media: “The knee issue … is really taking a toll on Jaire Alexander both physically and mentally. The best course of action was to step back and take some time to get it right.”
With Alexander’s departure, Philadelphia must now pivot. His absence leaves a vacancy in the cornerback room that had been bolstered with his arrival. Responding to the roster need, the Eagles activated cornerback Jakorian Bennett from injured reserve on Wednesday to fill the slot.
For Alexander personally, stepping away at age 28 is a rare move in a league that prizes availability and toughness. Yet, his decision to prioritize wellness over immediate output mirrors a growing trend throughout the NFL.
Whether this marks the end of his playing days remains to be seen. The reserve/retired designation allows him to return, but the question now becomes: Can he recapture the form that made him an All-Pro, and will he want to? For now, Alexander will step away, recalibrate, and determine his next chapter — out of the helmet, at least for the moment — while the Eagles press ahead with their Super Bowl window still open.
Ultimately, Jaire Alexander’s pause is more than just a roster transaction. His story serves as a reminder that behind stats and contracts stand real athletes, grappling with the personal cost of the game—and sometimes making the boldest play: choosing themselves.
