Packers CB Jaire Alexander hungry to get back on the field in Week 1

In an exclusive interview with the team’s official site, Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander said missing the majority of last season provided a big dose of “perspective” in terms of his love for the game, and now he’s itching to get back on the field on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings.

It’s finally time for Alexander’s “dog mentality” to come back out in the season opener.

“When a dog is hungry, and you throw a piece of steak on the ground, what does a dog do? He goes after the steak, he tears it up,” Alexander told Larry McCarren. “So that dog mentality is us getting after that steak. We hungry, we want that steak, Larry.”

Alexander injured his shoulder and missed the final 13 games of the regular season in 2021.

He’s always loved the game, but the injury – and the resulting absence from the field – helped fortify the love.

“Sometimes perspective is needed,” Alexander said. “Just being away, it made me miss being out there on the field with the guys, putting my helmet and pads on, making plays, seeing the fans get excited.”

The season opener Sunday will provide Alexander with a chance to go up against Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, one of the best receiver duos in the NFL.

It will be a terrific test for the Packers secondary.

“We’ve got a bunch of playmakers in our secondary,” Alexander said.

Alexander emphasized “consistency” is the biggest step between the good players in the league and the great players. He uses mental training and an unwavering work ethic in the classroom and on the practice field to separate himself as a special player.

“I’m not in this to be average, Larry, I’m in this to be the greatest,” Alexander said.

The start of a potentially special year for Alexander and the Packers finally arrives Sunday in Minneapolis.

Story originally appeared on Packers Wire