In Week 16, Jaire Alexander took a risky move that might have prevented the Green Bay Packers from defeating the Carolina Panthers. General manager of the Packers Brian Gutekunst said on Wednesday that Alexander would face consequences for actions that are bad for the franchise.
“We never take this decision to suspend a player lightly and it is never an easy one,”
In a statement, Gutekunst stated. Alexander declared that he would prefer Green Bay’s defense to be on the field than to postpone after winning the coin toss.
“Although we are disappointed, we had a good conversation with Jaire this morning and we hope he will learn from that as we move forward together,”
Gutekunst added. Three days after he was named captain of the Green Bay Packers, the team made what coach Matt LaFleur called a “big mistake” by nearly missing a call after the winning coin toss but was given a suspension.
“The decision to suspend a player is never easy and is not made lightly,”
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, Jaire’s actions before the game against Carolina led us to take this action. We are disappointed, but we had a good conversation with Jaire this morning and we hope he will be there as we move forward together. I look forward to learning from you.”
“He will continue to be an important member of this team, so we look forward to seeing him again next week.”
The Packers beat the Carolina Panthers 33-30 on Sunday to set up an elimination game at the Minnesota Vikings, a matchup between two 7-8 teams battling for an NFC wild-card spot. LaFleur wasn’t happy with Alexander after Sunday’s game in Carolina.
The Packers have not elected a full-time captain this season, but rotate each week. However, since LaFleur had told Kemp in the pre-game meeting with the officials that they would be promoted if they won the lottery, Kemp explained that Alexander wanted the promotion.
“It was a big mistake,”
LaFleur said after Alexander’s call.
“That’s something you always have to tell the players before you go out there and say, ‘Hey, we won, we’re going to lift it.’ I went to the officials before the match and made sure they knew what we were going to do.”
Alexander didn’t say anything after the game. Sad or sad. When asked why he stayed together and the leader, Alexander said:
“It was necessary to adapt.”
Sunday’s game was Alexander’s first start since injuring his shoulder on Nov. 5 against the Rams. LaFleur also said the
“suspension was unrelated to Alexander’s inability to participate in the game due to injury.”
“But as I said, I think there are a lot of lessons to be learned for everyone involved and hopefully we can learn from that. I think maybe we can communicate better in the future.”
Now, he will receive $16 million in salary and bonuses through 2024. He is scheduled to receive an $8 million bonus in March. If the Packers make cuts before then, they will save $1.636 million in cap space.
The Green Bay Packers have placed Jaire Alexander on the reserved/suspended list, general manager Brian Gutekunst announced Wednesday. The decision came after Alexander, who was not named captain in the Packers’ Week 16 game against the Carolina Panthers, attended a pregame fundraiser.
The 26-year-old cornerback has started each of their six games this season, but will be without Green Bay on Sunday when the team travels to Minnesota to face the Vikings. Green Bay has not elected captains for this season, but has named three game captains each week, one for each special teams, offense and defense.
Alexander wasn’t a trio, but he cashed in on quarterback and running back Aaron Jones, tight end Quay Walker and tight end Eric Wilson in a 33-30 win Sunday against the Panthers. However, Alexander almost cost the Packers because instead of “extending” the pick into the second half, he told the referee he wanted Green Bay’s defense on the field.
If Alexander had punted to start the game and decided to put Green Bay’s defense on the field, Carolina could have opted to punt it to start the second half. The quarterback knew what Alexander meant, so he saved Green Bay’s possession early in the second half.
Alexander confirmed after the game that he just threw the money away, and when asked if anyone was talking to him when he returned to the sideline, he replied:
“No. Why are they doing what you’re doing?”
on Wednesday, the Green Bay Packers announced that tight end Jaire Alexander has been suspended for one game for
“disrespect toward the team.”
The issue stems from Alexander’s behavior during a penalty shootout in last week’s game against the Carolina Panthers. Alexander, who is from Charlotte, went out with the captains for the fundraiser. Although Alexander was not named captain for the match.
“If you do the math, this would result in Carolina starting the game with the ball in both halves because the Packers had no option to slow down. The referee overturned the call and the Packers were allowed to have the ball to start the second half. We look forward to welcoming him next week as he is a valuable member of the team and will be with us into the future.”
Head coach Matt LaFleur did not comment on the matter in the release; however, the team will practice today, which means LaFleur will meet with the media on Wednesday. With Alexander on the suspended list, the Packers should have more time and another playoff opportunity this week.
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