Zesty Debate Breaks Out among Vikings Fans
A debate you never thought you’d have as a Minnesota Vikings fan is here.
A fresh debate is present among Minnesota Vikings fans, and it’s the best kind of discourse.
The purple team may or may not need another starting cornerback; that opinion is in the eye of the beholder.
But due to offseason developments, the Vikings, in theory, could have a binary choice around the bend — to chase Jaire Alexander via free agency or Jalen Ramsey via trade.
The debate is here.
Jalen Ramsey or Jaire Alexander
The Vikings employ a handful of notable cornerbacks, including Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, Jeff Okudah, Dwight McGlothern, and Ambry Thomas, among a few other lesser-known CB contenders.
Yet, some intense onlookers of Vikings football have wondered, “Is that enough for a team that believes a genuine Super Bowl window has opened?”
For Minnesota to be fully confident in the cornerback room, a man like Isaiah Rodgers, a free-agent newcomer from the Philadelphia Eagles, must shine without any large question marks. That leaves a lot to chance. So, because Alexander and Ramsey are semi-available, fans are debating the pros and cons of each candidate.
For example, former Vikings linebacker Ben Leber posted this poll on Monday morning:
Jaire Alexander Dropped by Packers
After months of suspense, Alexander received exit papers from the Packers this week.
NBC Sports‘ Michael Davis Smith wrote, “Jaire Alexander’s tenure in Green Bay has come to an end. Alexander, a cornerback who has played for the Packers since they drafted him in the first round in 2018, is being released, according to multiple reports.”
“The Packers proposed a restructured contract that would have paid him less than the $16.15 million base salary he was due this season, and once Alexander turned that down, it was only a matter of time before he’d be released. Alexander hadn’t been participating in the Packers’ voluntary workouts this offseason as he and the Packers considered whether they have a future together.”
When official, the Vikings won’t have to wait for waivers or anything of the sort. If they want Alexander, they can sign him outright.
Smith added, “Once among the top cornerbacks in the NFL, Alexander has missed more games than he has played the last two years after dealing with a string of injuries. The 28-year-old Alexander will now become an unrestricted free agent and will surely have some offers from teams that hope he can regain his previous form, and stay healthy.”
The Latest on Jalen Ramsey
Ramsey has lived on the NFL’s trade block for approximately two months. His eventual trade isn’t a rumor; the Miami Dolphins general manager has expressly stated that Ramsey will be shipped to the highest bidder.
CBS Sports‘ Carter Bahns provided the latest on Ramsey: “Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey will not attend mandatory minicamp, reports Ian Rapoport, as he and the franchise continue to work toward a trade. Ramsey and the Dolphins reached a mutual agreement in April to part ways but have yet to finalize a trade partner and return package.”
“The former All-Pro defender and seven-time Pro Bowler played each of the last two seasons with the Dolphins and participated in all 17 games last year after he missed time in his first campaign with a torn meniscus. Ramsey is under contract with the Dolphins through 2028, and the mutual decision to seek a trade came just one season after the parties agreed to a three-year extension.”
Ramsey has twisted in the Vikings’ trade rumor mill for one central reason: he and Vikings skipper Kevin O’Connell won a Super Bowl together in Los Angeles four years ago. There’s a relationship angle of the very best kind.
Bahns continued, “The $72.3 million deal Ramsey signed last September made him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. A trade partner would have to be willing to take on the sizable contract, which includes a $16.6 million cap hit for the 2025 season. Ramsey’s production slipped in his age-30 season, and he missed the Pro Bowl for the first time since his rookie campaign in 2016.”
“His two interceptions were his fewest since 2020, although he made up for the downturn in takeaways with upticks in tackles (60) and tackles for loss (6). The Florida State product totaled 11 passes defended.”
The Case for Jaire Alexander
The main argument in favor of Alexander is straightforward — he won’t cost draft picks via trade. The Dolphins can probably request the equivalent of a 3rd-Rounder for Ramsey. Alexander is “free” in trade speak.
Of course, his next team may need to pay him a handsome salary, but it’s as easy as calling the man’s agent and getting a deal done minus trade parameters.
What’s more, Alexander is about two and a half years younger than Ramsey.
The Case for Jalen Ramsey
Why Ramsey over Alexander? He’s a better football player. Plain and simple.
Ramsey has reached seven Pro Bowls, and while he isn’t the best cornerback in football anymore, as mentioned by Bahns, he’s still pretty damn consistent and productive.
He also doesn’t showcase Alexander’s suspect and recent injury history. Generally speaking, Ramsey, by most accounts, has a better team-friendly attitude than Alexander, although that opinion is subjective.
For curious minds, VikingsTerritory would recommend Alexander for three reasons:
- He’s 28, with two or three years left of his prime.
- Save the draft picks that would be needed for a Ramsey trade.
- Stick it to Green Bay.
It’s also worth noting that it’s unclear if the Vikings will target either player. They could be content with what they have.
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