Washed up? Former all-pro corner Jaire Alexander ready to show he can still play

Washed up? Former all-pro corner Jaire Alexander ready to show he can still play originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

Jaire Alexander knows people think he's washed up, that he's not the player he used to be, and when you've been released twice in 10 months that's going to happen.

Even though it looks that way from the outside, Alexander deep down believes he can still be as good as he ever was.

Yeah, I don't have any doubts," he said.

This is a two-time Pro Bowl cornerback, a two-time 2^nd-team all-pro cornerback, a starter for most of the last seven years with the Packers.

If he can be anything close to what he was in Green Bay, he could sure help this Eagles secondary.

I'm just gonna bring leadership, I'm gonna bring some energy and bring some swag, you know?" he said at his locker Thursday after his first practice with the Eagles.

Confidence and hopefully we all can feed off one another, feed off that."

The Eagles on Saturday acquired the 28-year-old Alexander and a 7^th-round pick in 2027 for a 6^th-round pick in 2026.

This could go either way. Maybe he'll be the same guy the Ravens released after just two games or maybe he'll be the guy who can solidify the Eagles' CB2 spot for the second half of the season.

What does Alexander expect?

I don't expect much," he said. But I expect the best guys to be on the field."

Maybe that will be Kelee Ringo and maybe it'll be Adoree' Jackson and it might even be Jakorian Bennett. But Alexander has come in with the intent of proving to the world that he can still play.

That'd be nice, man," he said. But I'm more into proving to myself that I can be (that player)."

Alexander spent the 2019 and 2020 seasons with Christian Parker, who took over as the Eagles' defensive backs coach last year. So as soon as he arrived in Philly over the weekend, he and Parker sat down and got to work.

Yeah, me and C.P., we've met every day I've been here, like five times a day," he said. I think he's my best friend at this point, I don't know. But it's been good to be back with him, get the coaching, get the technique, and get the extra work like we used to do."

Alexander said Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was honest and fair with him these past few months, and that made the whole process less stressful because he had a pretty good idea the Ravens were going to move him.

Harbaugh coached with the Eagles under Ray Rhodes in 1998 and Andy Reid from 1999 through 2007.

I've heard it was in the works for a while," he said. I'm just glad it finally came to fruition. I feel like I'm at a new school or something, you know? Just meeting new people, and it's fun because I know most of the guys in here. So it's easy.

I think they just wanted to play some younger guys. But I'm excited about this opportunity here."

Alexander battled knee injuries during his short stay in Baltimore, and injuries have been an issue for several years. He's only played 16 games since opening day 2023, although he was a healthy scratch in six of eight games with the Ravens.

But he said that's all behind him now.

Physically, I'm feeling good," he said. Really good."

Alexander's mom Tawanda is a Philly native, and Jaire was born at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia before moving to Charlotte as a youngster. But he said his mom has always been an Eagles fan, and he grew up an Eagles fan as well.

This was my favorite team growing up as a kid," he said. It's a dream come true.

My mom was born here and is from here. We've still got a lot of family here. I'm familiar (with the city). I used to come visit every summer up until high school when football started."

His favorite Eagles?

You'll like this list: Man, I loved DeSean Jackson, Michael Vick, Dawkins, Westbrook, Lito Sheppard, I mean, there's so many. Jeremiah Trotter. I just like the Eagles.

My mom couldn't stop smiling. It's always good to see them happy. They just want to see me playing and back to myself."

As it turns out, the Eagles' next game is at Lambeau Field against the team that drafted Alexander 18^thoverall in 2018, the team he played 85 games with.

It's going to be nostalgic," he said. It's going to be fun seeing the guys that I grew up with. Being in the town that pretty much raised me in the NFL. That's always fun.

But I'm excited to be back in Lambeau on this side of the thing."