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Former Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Jaire Alexander.

The Philadelphia Eagles were desperate to find someone to play the other outside cornerback spot opposite NFL All-Pro Quinyon Mitchell in 2025. The Eagles were so desperate that they traded a 6th round pick to the Baltimore Ravens for former NFL All-Pro and noted headache Jaire Alexander on November 1.

The move backfired in a major way when Alexander left the team just 10 days later to focus on his “physical and mental health” and was put on the retired/reserved list before he ever played a game for the Eagles.

“Former Pro Bowl CB Jaire Alexander has decided to step away from football to try to focus on getting himself right physically and mentally before deciding on his future,” Fox Sports NFL reporter Jay Glazer wrote on his official X account on November 11. “Alexander informed the Eagles of his decision today.”

On Wednesday, Alexander gave a little more insight into what the thinking may have been behind his decision to step away from football via a lengthy post on his official Instagram account.

IG Post: ‘Internal Battles’ Impacted Play

The post focused almost entirely on his time in Baltimore, where he only played 2 games, and didn’t mention the Eagles.

“As much as I loved Baltimore, I didn’t love the position I was in,” Alexander wrote. “I had a bunch of internal battles with myself, I didn’t have that confidence in my abilities I once did. At corner you need ultimate confidence in your abilities and I felt it slipping away. It was at this moment I contemplated if I was making the right decision for my career. What helped me get through these times was not only God & my family but I had some really cool teammates who made it fun to be there. I felt as if I let the organization down. My family and friends would drive up to see me and I wasn’t even playing in the games. I never questioned God but why me. All this while having a smile on my face. Football is a true gladiator sport  and once the confidence has gone it’s time to hang it up. Thank you Flock nation for embracing me. Thank you (general manager Eric DeCosta) for believing in me & Thank you for the unlimited therapy sessions I had to encounter to help me with my time there. I am so grateful for the experience.”

Eagles’ Defense Hurt by 2 Surprise Retirements

On October 13, veteran edge rusher Za’Darius Smith went on Instagram to announce his sudden retirement just one month after signing a 1-year, $4.25 million contract with the Eagles.

Smith, 33 years old, played in 5 games with the Eagles, with 10 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

“I’m told Jaire is contemplating retirement but for now is stepping away to think through his next steps,” The Athetic’s Diana Russini wrote on her official X account. “Sources tell me … the Eagles have kept conversations private over the last few days.”

Alexander was the 3rd cornerback the Eagles traded for in 2025 — the surest sign of how bad things were getting — following previous deals for Jakorian Bennett and Michael Carter.