Packers CB Jaire Alexander doesn't care about missing out on $700K bonus for skipping OTAs

Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander missed out on a major bonus this offseason as he chose to workout away from the team’s facilities during the workout program and OTAs. Although the team activities are voluntary, Alexander’s contract included a $700,000 bonus for this season if he would participate.

For most people, that’s not an inconsequential sum. However, the veteran corner is certainly not hurting for money. He signed a four-year deal for $84 million last year.

Alexander opened up about why he felt comfortable forgoing the check and the team activities, in favor of his own private workouts.

“I know what works for me at this point,” Alexander said, via Packers.com. “I’m on Year Six, two Pro Bowls, two All-Pros, I mean, I think I know what I got going on here.”

Alexander was a first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Louisville. The Packers snapped him up at No. 18 overall.

In five seasons, Alexander has 244 total tackles, 203 solo tackles, 10 interceptions, 58 pass deflections, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one safety.

Alexander returns for minicamp after skipping OTAs

Refusing to reveal where he was doing his workouts this offseason, Alexander joked that he was “training on an island somewhere.” Although he was doing his own thing, he was still keeping up with what his Packers teammates were doing. He told reporters he was watching all the OTA practice video on his tablet.

Alexander wasn’t the only Packers player to skip out on workouts. His fellow veteran corner Rasul Douglas also returned for minicamp this week after skipping OTAs.

While many of his teammates will escape Green Bay in the weeks between mandatory minicamp and training camp, Alexander said he plans to hang closer to the facilities.

“It’s so quiet,” Alexander said. “You have no choice but to find peace, especially inside the building. Lambeau’s open all day. Go out there and meditate, run some stadiums. That’s all.”

Check-in for Packers training camp will be at the end of July and it sounds like there’s nothing to worry about with Alexander’s readiness for the 2023 season. Last year, he posted 56 tackles with a career-high of five interceptions. He also added three tackles for loss.

Alexander is one of Green Bay’s most reliable options in a secondary that is still figuring itself out for the 2023 season.