Packers' Alexander: 'Time is coming soon' to face Lamar in Super Bowl
Not only is Jaire Alexander expecting the Green Bay Packers to return to the Super Bowl soon, but he's also anticipating a championship matchup with college teammate Lamar Jackson.
"It's always great to see that success," Alexander recently said, according to CBS Sports' Garrett Podell. "We came in at the same time at Louisville. We did a bunch of interviews together, so it was like watching a distant cousin or brother. ... I always joke with him and say, 'Man, when are we going to meet in the Super Bowl?' I think the time is coming soon."
Jackson and Alexander both entered the NFL as first-round picks in 2018 out of Louisville. The former has since claimed two NFL MVP awards, while the latter has two All-Pro berths under his belt.
Green Bay and Baltimore head into the 2024 campaign as contenders. The promising Packers reached the divisional round last season in their first year under starting quarterback Jordan Love. The Ravens, meanwhile, finished 2023 as the No. 1 seed but fell short against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC title game.
Green Bay and Baltimore are perennial playoff teams but haven't reached the Super Bowl in more than a decade. The Packers last played in the big game during the 2010 campaign when they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers, while the Ravens took down the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.
Alexander and Jackson reunited this week during a joint practice session between their clubs ahead of Saturday's preseason matchup.
"It was amazing," Alexander said about facing Jackson. "I've talked with him before today, so it (is) just good seeing him. Seeing him smiling. ... Lamar is a hell of a competitor, as we all know. It's just good to see him out there running around. I thought he tried to juke me one time, he almost got me. Thank God he didn't."
The corner added: "This practice was important because I think it gives guys a little bit more confidence."
The Ravens kick off the 2024 regular season versus the Chiefs on Sept. 5, while the Packers play a day later in Brazil against the Philadelphia Eagles.