Jaire Alexander enhances Ravens’s defensive identity

Improving the secondary was a major need for the Baltimore Ravens in the offseason. While the Ravens defensive line was terrific in 2024 (gave up a NFL least 1361 rushing yards), their secondary was unconventionally atrocious (gave up 4468 yards, the second most in the NFL).

On Wednesday, the Ravens made their biggest free agent acquisition on defense by signing cornerback Jaire Alexander of Charlotte, North Carolina to a one-year deal worth $4 million. As part of the contract, there is a possibility that Alexander could earn $2 million more in incentives according to Rogers Sportsnet.

The signing of Alexander is very significant because the Ravens identity since winning the Super Bowl in 2001 has been preventing the opposition from scoring. This past season, the opposition seemed to figure out the Ravens by passing the ball significantly more. Now with Alexander joining the Ravens D, the goal in Baltimore is to make the entire defense more complete, and restore their nasty defensive identity from their glory years.

Ravens quarterback and former NFL MVP Lamar Jackson is strongly supportive of the Alexander signing. He was seen giving Alexander a big hug today, and last week, Jackson had a message for Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta according to Josh Alper of NBC Sports, “Go get him, Eric.”

Alexander became available as he was released by Green Bay on June 9 despite being a two-time Pro Bowler over the last seven years. In 2024, Alexander only played seven games with the Packers due to a posterior cruciate ligament injury. He had 16 combined tackles (15 solo tackles and one assisted tackle), two interceptions for 52 yards and a pick six, seven pass deflections and one fumble recovery. The assisted tackle and 35-yard interception return for a touchdown came in a 30-14 Packers win over the Tennessee Titans on September 22, and the fumble recovery came in a 34-13 Packers win over the Arizona Cardinals on October 13.

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