The San Francisco 49ers are on the verge of making a major splash in their secondary. Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander, a two-time Pro Bowler and one of the most talented defensive backs in the league, has reportedly undergone a medical evaluation with the 49ers — a crucial step as the two teams move closer to finalizing a potential blockbuster trade.
Alexander’s presence in San Francisco has sent shockwaves through the NFL community. Though no official deal has been confirmed, the fact that he’s undergoing a physical indicates that negotiations have progressed significantly. In high-stakes trades like this, medical clearance is often the final hurdle before paperwork is signed.
The 49ers, who lost top cornerback Charvarius Ward to the Indianapolis Colts in free agency, have been searching for a high-end replacement to anchor their pass defense. Alexander, when healthy, is one of the few corners in the NFL who can truly shadow elite wide receivers on an island.
However, health is the key word here. Alexander has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, including shoulder and back issues that limited his availability. San Francisco’s insistence on a thorough medical check suggests they’re being cautious before committing to his sizable contract — and potentially giving up major trade assets.
Alexander is currently under contract with the Packers, set to earn $17.5 million this season. That number, combined with his injury history, has cooled trade interest from some teams. But the 49ers, with their aggressive win-now mindset, appear ready to take the gamble — assuming the medical evaluation checks out.
For their part, the Packers have had a strained offseason relationship with Alexander. During locker room cleanouts, the star cornerback declined to speak with the media, fueling speculation that he was done in Green Bay. Reports also surfaced that Alexander would prefer a release to choose his next team, though trade discussions have remained active behind the scenes.
Despite the noise, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has maintained a firm stance that the team was working with Alexander to find a resolution. Now, with a medical evaluation happening in San Francisco, it appears the resolution may indeed come in the form of a trade.
Sources close to the situation have indicated that both teams have discussed draft compensation and contract terms, but were waiting on the medical results before signing off. The final package could include a combination of draft picks and possibly a player to make the financials work under the salary cap.
If the deal goes through, the 49ers would add a high-ceiling, lockdown cornerback to a defense that already features star talent at every level. Pairing Alexander with standout safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Fred Warner would give San Francisco one of the league’s most feared defensive units once again.
The potential addition also signals that the 49ers are not resting on past success. After falling short in the Super Bowl last season, the front office is clearly focused on getting over the hump — and believes shoring up the secondary is the next critical step.
Fans in the Bay Area are already buzzing about the possibility, with many pointing to the 49ers’ aggressive moves in the past as proof that they’re not afraid to pull the trigger. If Alexander passes his medical and the deal is finalized, it could be one of the most impactful acquisitions of the 2025 offseason.
As of now, all eyes are on the 49ers’ front office. If all goes smoothly in the coming days, Jaire Alexander could be suiting up in red and gold sooner than anyone expected.