Jaire Alexander roster bonus key to CB's Packers future, sources say - ESPN

The Green Bay Packers' long-term decision regarding the future of Jaire Alexander is expected to revolve around the $8 million roster bonus owed to the star cornerback on March 20, league sources told ESPN.

The Packers suspended Alexander — the NFL's highest-paid cornerback — one game for conduct detrimental to the team after he appointed himself a captain for last Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers and participated in the coin flip.

Alexander will miss Sunday night's game against the Minnesota Vikings but is expected to return for Green Bay's regular-season finale next weekend against the Chicago Bears.

But his $8 million bonus now is expected to become the trigger point that likely will lead the Packers into a decision on whether to they want to keep Alexander or move on from him. Should they keep him, the Packers simply would pick up the option bonus, but Green Bay also could explore a trade.

There are other factors at stake for the Packers, who prefer that their players participate in their offseason program in Green Bay, which Alexander hasn't done. He surrendered a $700,000 workout bonus last spring to skip the Packers' offseason program and work out in Florida instead.

Green Bay also must consider Alexander's injury history; he has missed nine games this season — three because of a back injury, then another six contests with a shoulder injury. Alexander returned last week in Carolina, only to be involved in the coin toss fiasco that led to his suspension for Sunday's game against Minnesota.

Packers coach Matt LaFleur called Alexander's coin-toss gaffe «a big mistake» but emphasized that the suspension has nothing to do with Alexander not being able to play because of injuries.

Alexander, who grew up in