The Miami Dolphins find themselves in a conundrum this offseason: they desperately need a proven cornerback, and with two-time Pro Bowl selection Jaire Alexander now a free agent, you might think the solution is straightforward. However, as Lee Corso would say, “Not so fast, my friend.” While adding a talent like Alexander could solidify the secondary, there are several important factors to weigh before the Dolphins decide to make a move.
First and foremost is durability. When healthy, Alexander ranks among the top cornerbacks in the NFL—an elite talent who brings a lot to the table. Unfortunately, injuries have plagued him, and it’s a major concern for any team considering a signing. Over the last four seasons, he has missed 33 games, which translates to nearly 50% of his potential playing time. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a franchise looking to build a reliable defense.
His recent history only compounds the problem. Alexander sat out ten games in each of the past two seasons, and while he played every game in a 2022 campaign that marked his only healthy year, that coincided with the Packers missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Last season saw him sidelined for the final seven games due to a knee injury that required surgery afterwards, yet he still managed to practice at times. Given the Dolphins’ recent experience with injuries—exemplified by the departure of veteran tackle Terron Armstead due to knee troubles—one has to question if the Dolphins are willing to gamble on another talented but injury-riddled player.
Next up are the financial considerations. Alexander’s contract situation is tricky. While trading for him was never a viable option due to his steep price tag with Green Bay, he’s now hitting the open market. However, the Packers had reportedly tendered him a restructured deal that he turned down, suggesting the free agent might not come as cheap as one would hope. Alexander’s contract was set to pay him a hefty $16.1 million base salary in 2025, though none of it was guaranteed. That raises the question: what kind of deal would he be willing to accept now?
Spotrac has projected a one-year deal could max out at around $10 million for 2025, which might even be low-balling his worth when you consider that Darius Slay, who’s entering the twilight of his career at 34, is in line to make that amount in Pittsburgh. The Dolphins will need to consider just how much they’re willing to spend on Alexander, especially when weighing the contracts of their own players. With Jonnu Smith and likely Zach Sieler up for consideration, pursuing Alexander could shift priorities that need addressing.
Finally, there’s the overall direction of the team to consider. The Dolphins have taken a more conservative approach to their spending this offseason, evident in their decisions regarding free agents, and they still have key contracts to negotiate. Establishing a solid financial plan while trying to integrate a high-priced cornerback is no small task—especially if they’re leaning toward a transitional phase rather than an all-in season.
Adding Alexander would certainly bolster the Dolphins’ defense in 2025, no doubt about it. Just a year ago, pursuing a player of his caliber would have been an automatic decision for a franchise geared up for contention. However, it seems clear that the Dolphins are recalibrating, and the question remains whether they will even make a serious push for Alexander given the overall context of the roster.
With the departure of proven cornerbacks like Kendall Fuller and the looming trade of Jalen Ramsey, Miami looks like a logical destination for Alexander. Yet diving deeper into the situation shows that it isn’t as simple as it may appear. The Dolphins should weigh their options carefully before making any moves that could impact both the current roster and future plans.
