Jaire Alexander, Packers Roasted on Social Media After Suspension

Jaire Alexander will be suspended for the Green Bay Packers' crucial game against the Minnesota Vikings this weekend after a bizarre scene unfolded prior to Green Bay's game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.

Before the coin flip at the start of the game, Alexander joined the Packers' representatives unannounced. When the official asked for a call on the toss, Alexander made it (tails), and when the Packers won, Alexander nearly made a big mistake when he told the officials that the Packers wanted to start on defense (which is not the same thing as deferring to the second half). In other words, Alexander nearly gave the Panthers the ball to start both halves.

After the game, Alexander was unapologetic.

"It's only suiting," he said. "I don't think Coach knew I was from Charlotte. ... The guys backed me up. They knew I'm from here."

Alexander then explained that when he said he wanted the defense to be on the field to start the game, everyone looked at him "like I was crazy."

"Everybody was laughing," Alexander said. "I'm like, 'What are y'all laughing at? It's pretty obvious what I'm asking for.'"

Unfortunately for Alexander, it wasn't obvious to the Packers why he was out there, and they certainly weren't laughing.

"That was a big mistake," Packers coach Matt LaFleur said after the game of Alexander's call. "That's something that you review with the guys before they go out there every time about, 'Hey, we win the toss, we're going to defer.'"

In a team statement, Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said suspensions are "never easy."

"Unfortunately, Jaire's actions prior to the game in Carolina led us to take this step," Gutekunst said. "As an organization, we have an expectation that everyone puts the team first. While we are disappointed, we had a good conversation with Jaire this morning and fully expect him to learn from this as we move forward together."

That leaves the Packers without their two-time All-Pro cornerback as they prepare to face star wide receiver Justin Jefferson and the Vikings in a game both teams need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Social media, of course, had plenty of jokes at Alexander's (and the Packers') expense.

"'It's Jaire Alexander time' - Jaire Alexander," Barstool Sports posted on X, formerly Twitter, referencing a famous tweet about NBA guard Jordan Clarkson.

JJ Watt, meanwhile, was highly amused, telling The Pat McAfee Show that Alexander made an "alpha" move.

"Has there ever been a funnier suspension than this Jaire Alexander one?" Gregg Rosenthal wondered.

And finally, one user believes the Packers are at fault for suspending Alexander, writing, "aaron rodgers tried to warn yall numerous times about this front office."

The Packers and Vikings kick off at 8:20 p.m. Sunday. Green Bay will close its season Sunday, January 7, against the Bears.