Momentum Stunted on Splashy Vikings Idea
Although the relationship would assuredly make sense, freshly released ex-Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander may not be in the cards for the Minnesota Vikings.
Some had big plans for the Vikings via free agency in recent days, but one idea may not get off the ground.
The Packers cut Alexander loose this week after months — arguably years — of strife, and the two-time Pro Bowler is free to sign anywhere in the business.
Because the Vikings employ Mike Pettine as their assistant head coach — he defensively coordinated Alexander for three seasons when Alexander turned pro — and the team may need some starting cornerback improvements, Minnesota seemed like a logical landing spot.
But it may not come to fruition.
Vikings Reportedly Not among Teams in the Jaire Alexander Sweepstakes
According to Josina Anderson, six teams initially lined up for the Alexander sweepstakes, with no definite timetable for a contract.
Minnesota was reportedly not among the group, and for the folks who wanted Alexander in purple, well, the Vikings probably needed to be included.
Of course, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could be inquiring about Alexander under the radar, but that is merely speculative. There’s no evidence to suggest the Vikings are tangibly pursuing the former Packer.
Darren Wolfson on Jaire Alexander, Vikings
KSTP’s Darren Wolfson also opined on Minnesota’s role regarding Alexander.
He told SKOR North this week, “I can’t necessarily quantify how many teams have touched base, it might be two, it might be four, plural, more than one, but the Vikings are not one of the teams in these first handful of hours that Jaire has hit the market.”
“I was told last night that at some point going back months, I don’t know the exact date, the Vikings registered some level of interest. But this may have been before Byron Murphy Jr. was re-signed. You make the move on Isaiah Rodgers, Jeff Okudah, having a better sense of Mekhi Blackmon, so I can’t necessarily tell you the exact date that the Vikings registered interest.”
Do the Vikings Need Alexander?
For now, Minnesota has no qualms with cornerback quantity. The team has Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, Dwight McGlothern, and Ambry Thomas, among others.
But onlookers have wondered — with a fair line of questioning — whether Rodgers, Blackmon, or Okudah have the oomph for a full-time starting cornerback assignment. Maybe, maybe not.
Accordingly, for a team with an otherwise loaded roster, signing Alexander would “fix the glitch” at cornerback, ensuring no roster weaknesses whatsoever. It’s the main reason Alexander’s free agency has captivated the Vikings community.
Probable Landing Spots
If not Minnesota, where might Alexander land? The Atlanta Falcons have a rather vivid weakness at cornerback, and Jerry Gray, a former Vikings coach, is the assistant coach in Atlanta. He worked with Alexander in Green Bay.
The Carolina Panthers are adjacent to Alexander’s hometown and also need a cornerback. The Washington Commanders, as well, might check some boxes because of defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., who spent time with Alexander in Cheeseland.
The Bo Melton Replacement Plan in Green Bay
As for the Packers, they may have humorously already identified Alexander’s replacement. The team is evidently auditioning wide receiver Bo Melton at corner.
NFL.com’s Grant Gordon explained Tuesday, “Green Bay is seemingly flush with wide receiver talent. The Packers also moved on from two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander this week. So, Bo Melton’s trying his hand at a position switch.”
“Melton, a 2022 NFL Draft seventh-round pick of the Seattle Seahawks at receiver, got in some work at cornerback during Tuesday’s first day of mandatory minicamp. Since he was taken by the Packers, Melton’s appeared in 22 games with 24 receptions for 309 yards and a touchdown. With making the roster hardly a guarantee, why not give a position switch or addition a try?”
Melton is currently the team’s WR5 or so.
Gordon added, “Melton’s younger brother, Max, is a starting corner for the Arizona Cardinals, so perhaps his genes bode well for his future prospects. Former All-Pro kick returner-turned-starting CB Keisean Nixon (34 starts at CB in six seasons), Carrington Valentine (19 starts in two seasons) and veteran free-agent addition Nate Hobbs are likely to hold down the starting reps at the outside cornerback spots.”
“While that’s debatable, it would seem the Packers’ WR room is a more crowded one than the CB’s. The versatile Melton balancing that out is obviously something Green Bay is entertaining.”
On the whole, Alexander could still join the purple team, but the recent momentum has been stunted.
Surprise Rocks Vikings Minicamp
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