In a bold offseason move, the Green Bay Packers made waves by parting ways with star cornerback Jaire Alexander in an effort to clear cap space and reset their defensive backfield. Alexander, once considered among the league’s top cornerbacks, had struggled with injuries and inconsistency over the past two seasons, leading to questions about whether his hefty salary—set to be over $17 million in 2025—was justifiable. Now, with Alexander off the roster, the Packers find themselves in need of veteran leadership and experience at the cornerback position.
NFL analysts and insiders are now urging Green Bay to act quickly and target a proven replacement, with one name standing out above the rest: Steven Nelson, the veteran cornerback formerly with the Houston Texans. Nelson, who is projected to command around $21 million on a new deal, brings a wealth of experience and reliability to the position. Over the 2023 season, Nelson posted impressive numbers with the Texans, notching four interceptions and providing consistent coverage against top receivers. He was instrumental in Houston’s resurgence on defense and earned high grades from PFF for his performance.
At age 31, Nelson would bring not only skill but also valuable leadership to a young Packers secondary. With promising but unproven talents like Eric Stokes and Carrington Valentine expected to take on larger roles, the addition of a seasoned player like Nelson could stabilize the unit and provide mentorship to the emerging talents.
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has emphasized the importance of “smart investments” in free agency, especially when dealing with cap flexibility. Nelson may not come cheap, but his potential impact and durability might justify the price tag. The team still has room to make a move and remains one of the franchises with enough flexibility to sign a high-level player without jeopardizing their future.
Furthermore, defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley—entering his first year with the Packers—is expected to implement an aggressive, man-heavy scheme. A veteran like Nelson who thrives in physical, press-man coverage would be an ideal fit. He’s also known for his football IQ and ability to make pre-snap reads, an asset in Hafley’s complex system.
While some fans hoped the Packers would look to the draft to replace Alexander, others argue that an immediate fix is necessary for a team looking to contend in the NFC. Signing Steven Nelson wouldn’t just be about replacing talent—it would be a signal that Green Bay is still in win-now mode.
As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on the Packers’ front office to see whether they respond to the call and bring in a veteran presence like Nelson to anchor the secondary
