According to multiple reports, newly-signed Eagles CB Jaire Alexander is taking time away from football to focus on 'getting right' both mentally and physically, and is debating retirement.
This of course comes just days after he stayed home while the Eagles traveled to Green Bay to face the Packers in Monday Night Football.
The Eagles traded for Jaire Alexander ahead of the NFL Trade deadline, giving up a 2026 6th-round pick in exchange for the 28-year-old and a 2026 7th-round pick.
First and foremost, I hope that Jaire is able to get right and get back on the football field. For a player of his caliber (a two-time Pro Bowler who was at the top of his game before a series of unfortunate injuries) to make such a heavy decision, it can't have been taken lightly. Players don't have much leeway when it comes to time off from football due to how much it can hurt their chances of playing at the pinnacle of their profession, and Jaire was certainly capable of getting back to that.
However, what's perhaps most perplexing is the fact that this isn't the first time that this has happened to the Eagles in the last two months. Veteran EDGE Za'Darius Smith retired mid-season despite only recently signing with the team, leaving the pass-rush with a fairly substantial hole. Fast forward less than a month, and Jaire Alexander is looking at the same path and contemplating walking it.
Whether or not the Eagles knew about the headspace of either player ahead of their arrivals is anyone's guess, but its an unfortunate coincidence at the very least.
As for who will man the CB2 spot — the Eagles do have options. Adoree Jackson and Kelee Ringo are both well acclimated by now (although two trades ahead of the deadline show a lack of confidence from the coaching staff), and newly-signed Michael Carter can plug a hole, especially in the slot, should Vic Fangio decide to float Cooper DeJean around his versatile defense.
I hope we see Jaire play in the NFL again, and hopefully those snaps come in midnight green. But for now, the slightly confusing timing of the decision can't override how difficult it must have been — knowing that a team has once again afforded him a chance at getting back to his best — and still wanting to step away.
