Packers’ Jaire Alexander ‘surprised to say the least’ about Rasul Douglas being traded to Bills

Cornerback Rasul Douglas was once certainly one of common supervisor Brian Gutekunst’s very best diamond-in-the-rough transactions right through his time working the Green Bay Packers’ soccer operations since 2018. The former Philadelphia Eagles third-round choose from the 2017 NFL Draft totaled 5 interceptions and 25 passes in 3 seasons ahead of the staff launched him following roster cutdowns in 2020. 

After a yr with out an interception with the Carolina Panthers in 2020, Douglas started the 2021 season toiling away on Arizona Cardinals follow squad. Gutekunst and the Packers signed him onto their lively roster early on in the 2021 season and then time he become certainly one of their very best defensive gamers. Douglas totaled 5 interceptions, together with two interception go back touchdowns — which co-led the NFL –, together with a game-sealing takeaway at the Cardinals to hand them their first first lack of the season that yr on “Thursday Night Football” when the Packers had been lacking many most sensible gamers, together with receiver  Davante Adams, as a result of COVD-19. His 10 interceptions since that season are tied for the third-most in the NFL as are his two pick-sixes. However, Douglas is now a Buffalo Bill after the Packers traded him away with a 2024 fifth-round choose in change for a 2024 third-round choose. The commerce comes with Douglas in the moment season of a three-year, $21 million contract, a rather inexpensive worth for a cast, beginning cornerback. It no doubt stuck his fellow defensive backfield mate Jaire Alexander off guard. 

“I was pretty surprised to say the least,” Green Bay Packers Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander stated Wednesday, via The Athletic, when requested about Douglas being traded to the Bills. “I was surprised. I actually found out this morning coming into work. I made sure I texted him right away. I didn’t expect Rasul to be gone. He’s vet who has made a bunch of plays in his time here, but that’s just the NFL.”

The deal was once notable sufficient round Lambeau Field that Gutekunst went out of his means to kickoff off his post-trade cut-off date press convention to communicate about Douglas ahead of he took questions from native media. 

“Real quick as we get started, I want to take some time to talk about Rasul,” Green Bay Packers common supervisor said Wednesday. “Want to thank him for all his time here, the work and the leadership that he provided us. That was a nice practice squad signing in the middle of the season [in 2021], you don’t see those very often. Appreciative of him.”

Gutekunst rationalized the transfer as a result of Green Bay now has 5 choices on the first two days of the 2024 NFL Draft: one first-round choose, two second-round choices (the moment being from the Jets as Aaron Rodgers is not going to play 65% of New York’s snaps this season following his torn Achilles) and two third-round choices, the moment of which comes from the Douglas commerce made Tuesday.

“It was tough one because of what he means to our team,” Gutekunst stated. “At the same time, we weren’t looking to move anybody. I got a call out of the blue a few days ago. We weren’t really interested in doing it, but at the end of the day, the offer was too good to pass up…. We thought it was in the best interest of the Packers. Obviously, in the short term, you lose a good player, and that’s tough. Looking long term, it’s going to be in our best interests. Any time you get a third-round pick that is going to be in the top 100 [picks in 2024] that will probably be one of the top 50 players that you have on your [draft] board that’s something that I think was too good for us to pass up. We wish him well. He served us well while he was here. We’re excited about the opportunities it presents some other guys.”  

Tough could be understatement round the Packers locker room. Green Bay slot cornerback and 2022 First-Tea All-Pro go back guy Keisean Nixon was once “at a loss for words” upon listening to that Douglas was once being traded.

“I understand it’s a business, but I’m still sick to my stomach, honestly,” Nixon stated Wednesday, via The Athletic. “[Rasul was] Someone who stabilized the locker room and was a big part in preaching and approaching as a team, and now he’s gone.”

The different guys may just come with 2023 seventh-round choose Carrington Valentine, who has 12 tackles and is permitting a 65.9 passer ranking in opposition to. Cornerback Eric Stokes, Green Bay’s 2021 first-round choose (twenty ninth general) had a pleasant rookie yr however has handled accidents in every of the remaining two seasons. He suffered a Lisfranc foot harm in Week 9 of 2022 in opposition to the Detroit Lions that ended his season. Stokes is already returning to injured reserve this season after struggling a hamstring harm in opposition to the Denver Broncos in Week 7. 

“He [Douglas] mentored me and sat next to me every day,” Valentine stated, via The Athletic. “I’m sad to see him go. I learned a lot from him, and I appreciate everything. He didn’t have to do that. With the opportunity, I just have to make the most of it…. Just being around him [Douglas] he taught me a lot.”