Jaire Alexander Steam Hits Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings have a reputation for welcoming former Green Bay Packers players — sometimes high-profile ones, like Brett Favre, Aaron Jones, and Za’Darius Smith — with open arms after a Wisconsin divorce.
Jaire Alexander is freshly available, and the masses are saying the Vikings make sense as a landing spot.
And after Monday’s events, cornerback Jaire Alexander could be next.
The Packers will reportedly release Alexander, making him free to sign anywhere in the NFL.
Vikings Have a Realistic Path to Jaire Alexander
NFL Network‘s Ian Rapoport tweeted Monday, “The Packers are releasing star CB Jaire Alexander today, sources say. He agreed to explore a potential trade this spring, while a restructured contract was also discussed. In the end, Green Bay and Alexander move on with a clean break.”
The Vikings’ roster doesn’t possess too many glaring weak spots, but if forced to acknowledge one, most fans would label cornerback as a bit shaky.
Accordingly, with Alexander about to hit the open market, Minnesota exploring his price tag for a free-agent relationship would make sense.
And NFL media is all in on the Vikings as an Alexander landing spot. There’s no shortage of evidence.
Pro Football Focus Names Vikings as an Alexander Landing Spot
PFF’s Trevor Sikkema started the party Monday after Alexander’s release, connecting him to the Vikings as a sensible destination.
Sikkema explained, “This would be a top-tier storyline. Alexander and Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson have been fierce competitors for years, taking the Packers and Vikings’ divisional rivalry to the next level. Alexander has called one of Jefferson’s biggest performances — nine catches for 184 yards and two touchdowns against the Packers — a ‘fluke’ and has mocked Jefferson’s signature griddy celebration.”
“Alexander would also fit into defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ aggressive approach with his 99th-percentile PFF coverage grade since 2022 and all of his ball production (eight interceptions and 21 pass breakups despite missed time). The Vikings are trying to replace Camryn Bynum, Shaquill Griffin and Stephon Gilmore from last year’s secondary, making Alexander a clear potential fit.”
Sikkema also named the Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, and Philadelphia Eagles as theoretical hosts for Alexander’s next chapter.
CBS Sports, Too
PFF was not a standalone entity for the Alexander-Vikings angle.
Jared Dubin of CBS Sports remarked, “Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores loves to get creative with his pressures up front, and to do that, you need extremely reliable defensive backs. The Vikings have been getting by with their versatile crew over the last two years, but Alexander would be an immediate upgrade on almost anybody in the secondary.”
“Pairing him with Byron Murphy, Harrison Smith, Josh Metellus and more would make for a really interesting back end of the defense.”
Dubin listed the Eagles, Rams, and Ravens, too, while adding the Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, and San Francisco 49ers to the rumor mill.
Don’t Forget about Bleacher Report
Next, BR wasn’t left out.
Gary Davenport wrote about Alexander to Minnesota: “After winning 14 games a year ago, the Minnesota Vikings have big-time aspirations in 2025. But the team also has a glaring need on defense—the Vikes were 28th in the NFL against the pass last year. Minnesota’s offense is loaded with talent, even if young quarterback J.J. McCarthy is something of an unproven commodity.”
“The team’s defensive front is absolutely stacked with edge-rushers Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard and interior linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. But the cornerbacks are a different story — once you get past Byron Murphy Jr., the questions start adding up quickly. In theory, a healthy Alexander would answer one of those questions. And with $18.5 million in cap space, the Vikes have the wiggle room to pluck yet another Packer off the proverbial scrap heap.”
Davenport also included the Buffalo Bills as a suitor.
The Star Tribune Endorsement
Finally, the local angle.
Star Tribune‘s Jim Souhan continued the sudden momentum: “The Vikings have built a remarkably sound and talented roster. If there is one weakness, it is in cornerback depth. The best way to improve cornerback depth is to sign a great corner. Alexander would start opposite Isaiah Rodgers with Byron Murphy Jr., in the slot. That would allow young corner Mekhi Blackmon or veteran Jeff Okudah to be quality depth instead of a weak-link starter.”
“Money matters: Alexander seemed to drive the Packers’ brain trust bonkers, but if the Vikings signed him to a one-year deal, he’d be motivated to prove he’s worth a lucrative long-term deal. Odds are he’d be on his best behavior. Kevin O’Connell has built a reputation as one of the most player-friendly head coaches in the NFL.”
At age 28, Alexander still has a few seasons left of his physical prime.
Souhan concluded, “Brian Flores has built a reputation as one of the best defensive coordinators in the league, and he has the respect of his players. If Alexander cares about organizational culture and comfort, he’ll sign with the Vikings.”
Vikings Must Box Out Other Teams, Weigh Benefit
Some Vikings fans used social media to express hesitation about an Alexander signing. Naysayers claimed his attitude wouldn’t jibe with Minnesota’s first-class culture, fearing Alexander would bring a “me, me, me” persona to an otherwise harmonious locker room.
The Vikings’ leaders — obviously — must decide if that’s true.
Too, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah will have to box out participants in the Alexander sweepstakes. Pro Bowl-caliber cornerbacks in their prime with All-Pro accolades rarely hit the open market in June.
It’s worth mentioning that the Vikings’ roster would be utterly set with a cornerback like Alexander in his healthiest form.
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