Jaire Alexander's time in Green Bay came to an unceremonious end when he was released in June.
It took him less than two weeks to a find a new home. One month later, the two-time Pro Bowl corner is incredibly pleased with this latest twist in his life.
"I'm in love," Alexander said of his new surroundings in Baltimore. "What can I say? The weather is great. The fans are great. The city is great, so I think I'm in a great place."
Alexander became the latest quality veteran to latch on with the Ravens, a team that has welcomed many talented and experienced players into their pursuit of a title in recent years. Multiple such examples are on their roster right now: running back Derrick Henry, receiver DeAndre Hopkins and edge rusher Kyle Van Noy.
Almost all of them (save for disgruntled receiver Diontae Johnson) have embraced the organization in pursuit of the same collective goal. But Alexander had additional reason to join the Ravens in 2025: His former Louisville teammate and fellow 2018 draft classmate, quarterback Lamar Jackson, is the crown jewel of their offense.
"[Lamar Jackson] is my boy. [We're on a] first name, last name basis," Alexander said. "So, it's funny. We were always talking about [playing together again], so it is crazy how God works and brought us together. So, I'm happy."
Alexander admitted that while he would have considered Baltimore regardless of who was playing quarterback, Jackson's presence made his free agency decision easy. What's really speaking to his heart these days, though, is the culture that exists on the defensive side of the ball for a franchise that won its first Super Bowl 25 years ago by riding an all-time great defense to the mountaintop.
"It's actually an amazing feeling. Defenses win championships," he said. "Defenses win championships, so I'm in the right place to do that."
Baltimore fell painfully short of their Super Bowl ambitions last season, but didn't allow that to prevent them from loading up for another run at a Lombardi Trophy in 2025. That's how players like Hopkins, Alexander and others (keep an eye on rookie safety Malaki Starks) landed in Charm City.
On paper, they look like a premier contender to win it all. Alexander aims to play an integral role in their journey toward an ending he hopes includes a silver trophy -- and might include a win over his former employer, too, even if he's not focusing on the Packers right now.
"No," he said when asked if he has their Week 17 meeting circled. "I circle every week.
"Everybody's going to get it."
