When the Baltimore Ravens signed Jaire Alexander, everyone knew they were getting an intelligent corner to add to an already scary unit. He is a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time second-team All-Pro. However, he has battled various injuries since 2021 and got cut by the Green Bay Packers in June. In Baltimore, he is looking to showcase his worth.
Bucky Brooks of NFL Network named long-shot award candidates for the 2025 NFL season, and Alexander is his long-shot pick for Comeback Player of the Year. While a talented player and one deserving of the distinguished honor, Alexander’s odds sit at +8000. Brooks wrote:
“As a versatile corner with lock-down skills utilizing bump-and-run or shadowboxing technique, the eighth-year pro could give Baltimore the CB1 needed to compete against the AFC’s high-powered offenses.”
“Divisional battles against Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, DK Metcalf and Jerry Jeudy are on the horizon, so Alexander will have a chance to show he’s still an elite corner with a bounce-back season.”
Jaire Alexander could find himself standing on the NFL Honors stage with a strong 2025 campaign
The Ravens signed Alexander to a team-friendly deal–a one-year contract for $4 million, which could become $6 million if he reaches play-time incentives. He joins a formidable group that struggled last year but has the potential to be one of the best in the league in 2025.
Clemson product Nate Wiggins will be his partner in crime on the opposite boundary, All-Pro Marlon Humphrey will handle slot duties, safety Kyle Hamilton can do it all, and rookie Malaki Starks is looking to make a prominent impact in his first NFL season. There is talent all over the field, and Alexander could take them to the next level.
The 28-year-old may still be one of the best corners in the league this upcoming season. While the injuries have taken a toll on him each season, causing Alexander to miss most of three of the past four seasons, he has shown he is still outstanding when healthy. In 2023 and 2024, he only played 14 games combined, but in those short stints, he earned 70.2 and 75.2 overall grades per Pro Football Focus. Both marks were above average, and the 75.2 was 25th among all corners.
It might be surprising that Alexander is a long shot for Comeback Player of the Year, especially considering it has been over two years since the league has seen the former Louisville standout healthy for a full season. He will have to beat out some game-changing stars to win the award, like Detroit Lions defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey. But Alexander is an All-Pro-caliber player capable of outperforming those candidates.