Rumors point to the Green Bay Packers cutting ties with two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander this offseason. If so, the team could need a new starter.
Yet, if the Packers want to change their cornerback depth chart this offseason, several potential alternative solutions exist. One possibility could even include robbing their NFC North division rival, the Minnesota Vikings.
Recently, The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman took a guess at who the Packers could make a “bigger splash” and sign in free agency. In doing so, he highlighted Pro Bowl cornerback Byron Murphy while also tossing out San Francisco 49ers standout Charvarius Ward as another option.
"This answer depends on what the Packers think of the draft and free-agent class at each spot, but my best guess is they’ll go offensive line (specifically the interior) and wide receiver in the draft and make bigger splashes at cornerback (Charvarius Ward or Byron Murphy?) and edge rusher (Josh Sweat, maybe?) in free agency since they’re in their most favorable cap situation in two or three years," Schneidman wrote.
Ward is coming off a bit of a down year, but he also dealt with off-field complications stemming from the death of his child. Pro Football Focus marked Ward as the 148th-ranked cornerback in 2024.
Meanwhile, signing Murphy could be a better solution. He’s coming off a career-high six interceptions, grading as the 33rd-best cornerback in the NFL.
Plus, the Packers should leap at any opportunity they get to make the Vikings worse after their rival’s 14-win season. The Vikings are losing their top three cornerbacks to free agency and may have a strong interest in re-signing Murphy so the Packers could ruin their plans.
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