Green Bay Packers star Jaire Alexander has explained why he turned down the opportunity to bank an extra $700,000 (£550,000).
Alexander is getting ready for his sixth season with the Packers, after being drafted in the first round in 2018 with the 18th overall pick. The cornerback will have to deal with an off-season of change, though, ahead of the 2023 regular season.
Star quarterback Aaron Rodgers was traded to the New York Jets, and he is not the only one to make the switch to MetLife Stadium. Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Adrian Amos have all joined Rodgers in leaving the Packers to sign for the Jets.
Alexander signed a new four-year contract in May last year which will see him earn $84 million including a $30m signing bonus. After agreeing to an average of $21m per year, which made him the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL, there was an opportunity for him to earn even more.
According to ESPN, Alexander could have earned a further $700,000 if he had turned up to a certain number of off-season training programs. It’s claimed that had the 27-year-old attended 84.37 percent of the off-season program, which equates to missing just five sessions, then he would have received the workout bonus.
However, Alexander did not attend the voluntary organised team activities (OTA) which began back in April. He was present for the first mandatory minicamp which took place on Tuesday, but because of his previous absences he will miss out on $700,000 of the $14m he was set to earn this season.
Alexander was asked about missing out on the money, and what it would have taken for him to be present for the entire off-season. “Man, to come to [the whole] offseason?” Alexander told ESPN. “I'd probably say about, I would've definitely been here for 10,” before confirming he meant $10m.
While Alexander may not have taken part in the voluntary OTAs, he stayed in Green Bay soon after the season concluded in January. He would leave the area in April shortly before the off-season program began, before returning to take part in the mandatory sessions this week.
Given this is Alexander’s sixth season in Wisconsin, the cornerback very much has a connection with the local area. And the Packers star went on to explain what he likes most about being in Green Bay.
“This is probably the best time to be here," said Alexander. "When it’s quiet."
“I like to be here because I feel like I get the work. When no one’s here and it’s quiet, I can go in Lambeau (Field) all day, it’s so quiet.
“You have no choice but to find peace, especially inside the building. Lambeau’s open all day, go out there and meditate, run some stadiums, that’s all.
“I know what works for me at this point,” Alexander added. “I'm on Year Six, so two Pro Bowls, two All-Pros. I mean, I think I know what I got going on here.”
