Jaire Alexander explains difficult decision to step away from football

Jaire Alexander has continued to speak out publicly about one of the most difficult decisions of his football career.

After abruptly stepping away from the NFL last season, Alexander recently utilized The Players' Tribune to explain that the choice was driven by mental health struggles and the emotional toll surrounding his injuries and recovery process.

“Deciding to step away from the game was one of the toughest things I’ve ever had to do,” Alexander admitted. “But I absolutely did have to do it.”

The comments provide important context surrounding what became one of the NFL's more unexpected storylines from last summer. Alexander originally joined the Baltimore Ravens after being recruited heavily by former Louisville teammate Lamar Jackson following his release from the Green Bay Packers. Baltimore signed the talented cornerback to a one-year deal, hoping a fresh environment could help him rediscover the form that once made him one of the league's premier defensive backs.

Injuries and inconsistency quickly complicated the situation.

Alexander played in only two games with Baltimore, totaling five tackles while struggling to stay healthy throughout much of training camp and the regular season. Following a difficult performance against the Buffalo Bills, Alexander spent extended stretches either injured or inactive as a healthy scratch.

Before the NFL trade deadline, the Philadelphia Eagles acquired Alexander and a 2027 seventh-round pick from Baltimore in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round selection. Alexander never appeared in a game for Philadelphia following the trade. The Eagles eventually placed him on the reserve/retired list after he stepped away from football to focus on both his physical and mental health during his recovery from knee surgery.