Former Green Bay Packers Quarterback Defends Jaire Alexander, Has Harsh Words for Coaches, Amid Week 17 Suspension
As the Green Bay Packers enter the last two weeks of the 2023 NFL season, they are mostly in control of their own fate. They have a 95% chance of entering the NFL Playoffs if they defeat the Chicago Bears in Week 18 and triumph over the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.
Naturally, they have to play their best game on Sunday at Minnesota, where they are also competing for a berth in the NFC playoffs, if they want to return to the postseason. Sadly, they will have to do it without cornerback Jordan Alexander, who was banned by the organization on Wednesday, despite Alexander having played in two Pro Bowls.
The straw that broke the camel’s back for Alexander was his choice to captain the coin toss in his hometown of Charlotte, even though head coach Matt LaFleur stated that there is never “just one” cause for a player to be suspended. Alexander won’t be on the field despite playing against the Vikings, whose offense has one of the top wide receivers in the NFL in Justin Jefferson.
Fans have, of course, differing opinions. After the decision, though, a former Packers quarterback had some harsh things to say about the team’s coaching staff.
Former Green Bay Packers Quarterback Kurt Benkert Defends Jaire Alexander and Calls Out Coaches
Kurt Benkert, a former quarterback with the Packers, has spoken up about how his temperamental conflicts with the coaching staff and administration occurred during his time there. In fact, he claimed that the Packers released him after just one season as a direct result of his own behavior and attitude on social media.
Benkert, who is currently a content producer for Sleeper, isn’t afraid to voice his thoughts on any significant NFL topic. He spoke out strongly against some of his old coaches and in support of Alexander, a former teammate:
The “BS” that Benkert is referring to is obviously a shot at defensive coordinator Joe Barry and the rest of the coaching staff. Between Alexander and linebacker De’Vondre Campbell’s recent tweet, it is clear that Barry has lost the locker room and the players are done.
As Benkert states, Alexander had the support of his teammates when he went out as a captain. The game was
hosted in Charlotte, the player’s hometown; usually, when players visit their hometowns, they are appointed leaders. The two-time Second Team All-Pro revealed that he resolved the situation on his own because Coach LaFleur was unaware of his Charlotte roots.
Was Alexander’s suspension by the Packers justified? Indeed. His actions, though, indicate a far larger issue: the players no longer respect LaFleur for maintaining Barry, and he has lost the locker room. By accepting the penalty, LaFleur showed some leadership, but if he hopes to avoid a repeat of this season, he will need to let go of Barry in the offseason.
