Lions DC Happy How Terrion Arnold Responded After Being Called Out
Across the National Football League, it is not common for coaches to publicly call out specific deficiencies from a player.
Last week, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard publicly expressed the rush defense of cornerback Terrion Arnold was not acceptable.
Others may have reacted negatively, but Detroit's young defensive back is used to being coached tough, and actually embraces it.
The relationship between Arnold and Sheppard is quite close, allowing for the young defensive back to steadily develop more and more into a complete cornerback.
Detroit's first-year defensive coordinator quipped prior to practice on Thursday that the former first-round pick looked a little too excited for a player that is not participating at practice.
"Oh, he's upright. He's there a little too upright for me, for not playing. But I said, 'You're not practicing. Why are you so excited today?' That's just him. Seriously," said Sheppard. "Kind of a little brother or father feel, whatever you want to call it. Like, he's giving me no choice but to take that role on.
"And man, I love him, because the thing I love most about him, seriously, is that I challenged that player and I challenged him publicly. And a lot of guys can't take that," Sheppard added. "And I know he's one that I can, because of the relationship we have. He knows I'm not like being demeaning towards him. I'm being very demanding, though, because I see something in him. I see what he can be and I fully expect him to not only reach that, but to usurp it. And I think he will."
Arnold impressed the team's defensive leader, not for play in coverage, but for a specific play against the Commanders on a run call.
"He had a play and a tight read, probably my most proudest play. His coverage speaks for itself, but I told you the part of the game I was looking for," Sheppard said. "And you look down in the tight red, they ran a sweep to him. He had a blocker on him, he beats the blocker and goes under to make the play. That was probably my most proud play in that game with Terrion.
"A player that's responding in an adverse situation, coach calling me out," Sheppard commented further. "He can take that so wrong and go down in the dumps, but he did the opposite. So, I'll be very excited knowing when I get that player back, and it would also be good to see him finish a game here."
Former Packers Star Jaire Alexander Announces He’s Stepping Away From Football After Realizing He Can’t Play for Any Team Other Than Green Bay
Green Bay, WI – November 12, 2025
In an emotional and heartfelt announcement, former Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander has revealed that he is stepping away from the game, citing an inability to play for any team other than the Packers. The news has sent shockwaves through the football world, as Alexander’s decision to retire at just 28 years old marks the end of a promising career that could have spanned much longer.
Once the emotional cornerstone of Green Bay's defense, Alexander’s career took a rocky turn after leaving the Packers. After his time in Green Bay, where he became a two-time Pro Bowler and All-Pro cornerback, Alexander briefly joined the
A Difficult Transition
Sources close to Alexander report that his struggles with adjusting to new locker rooms and team dynamics were more significant than anyone expected. The Packers had been Alexander’s home since the beginning of his career, and it seems no other environment could match the emotional connection he felt in Green Bay.
Alexander's time with the Ravens and Eagles was marked by disappointment. He struggled to find rhythm within both teams’ defensive schemes, and his passion for the game gradually waned. According to close friends, Alexander privately admitted to teammates that his “mind wasn’t in it anymore” and that the locker rooms he encountered lacked the same camaraderie and energy he had in Green Bay.
“My Heart Isn’t in It”
Alexander’s decision to step away is driven less by his performance, which remains at an elite level, and more by the emotional toll of not feeling connected to the teams he played for. Speaking candidly with friends, Alexander said,
At just 28 years old, Alexander still had the ability to dominate as one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL. However, the emotional and mental fatigue of playing for teams he couldn’t connect with led him to make the difficult decision to walk away from football. It’s clear that Alexander’s heart will always belong to Green Bay, and it’s a reminder that the personal side of the game—relationships with teammates, coaches, and the city—matters just as much as the X’s and O’s.
A Deep Loss for Packers Fans
For Packers fans, Alexander’s departure is a painful reminder that not all stories in the NFL have happy endings. While some players are built for the business side of football—trades, contracts, and new beginnings—others, like Alexander, find themselves deeply attached to the teams that first believed in them. The bond between Alexander and Green Bay was palpable during his time in Wisconsin, and it’s clear that no other environment could replicate that connection.
Though Alexander’s career may have been cut short, his legacy in Green Bay will never be forgotten. For years to come, Packers fans will remember him as a fearless leader in the secondary, a player who could shut down the best receivers in the game and spark the energy of the entire defense. His decision to retire leaves a hole in the Packers’ defense, but more importantly, it leaves a reminder that sometimes, it’s not just about the game—it’s about where you belong.
As Alexander steps away from football, he will take time to focus on his mental and physical recovery. Whether his retirement is permanent remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: for Jaire Alexander,
