The Chicago Bears are off and running with OTAs, getting the first true look at what the team will be under new head coach Ben Johnson following a flurry of offseason additions centered around becoming a playoff competitor with quarterback Caleb Williams.
Some individuals have shined, but it's also a key time to look at what rivals are doing and how their teams look. The NFC North is notably the best division in football, so any piece of bad news for the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, or Green Bay Packers is great news for the Bears.
That's what makes Monday an interesting day, as the Packers released All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander following a contentious contract debate and Chicago fans can only laugh at their rival's despair.
Source: #Packers plan to release two-time Pro Bowl corner Jaire Alexander. pic.twitter.com/yTW5XzTFMB
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) June 9, 2025
Packers Cut All-Pro CB Jaire Alexander as Bears Fans Laugh at Rival's Despair
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Alexander was released and will no longer be a Packer. The 28-year-old two-time All-Pro has dealt with numerous injuries over the years, but he's still an effective plalyer and this represents a massive shift for the organization's defense.
Green Bay ranked 10th in opponent yards per pass play (6.4) last year, though Alexander appeared in only seven games. In the last four years, he's played in more than seven games just once, so it makes sense that the Packers wouldn't want to give him an outsized contract extension without knowing he'd actually be on the field.
That's partially why this is so beneficial for the Bears. Williams' development as a passer should keep putting pressure on Green Bay and without an All-Pro talent like Alexander, it'll be easier for Johnson's creative offense to find holes. The Packers' top cornerback is now Keisean Nixon, who ranked just 87th out of 222 qualified corners at Pro Football Focus. In other words, it's not a great secondary.
Chicago fans should be happy, as the best version of Green Bay's defense in 2025 involved Alexander. He's gone now, and the Bears have a great opportunity to overcome them in the division.