Vikings can send firm message about Super Bowl aspirations by signing CB Jaire Alexander who fits perfectly in Minnesota
The Minnesota Vikings have one of the best rosters in the National Football League. Even so, there are some spots that are weaker than others. One of those is at cornerback, which is the weakest position group on the Vikings. Byron Murphy Jr. is one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL, but after that, […]
The Minnesota Vikings have one of the best rosters in the National Football League. Even so, there are some spots that are weaker than others.
One of those is at cornerback, which is the weakest position group on the Vikings. Byron Murphy Jr. is one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL, but after that, there are serious questions at the position. Isaiah Rodgers and Mekhi Blackmon both have starter potential, but major questions remain for both. Jeff Okudah is talented but a top-three NFL Draft bust, and Dwight McGlothern is still a project as an undrafted free agent from 2024.
It's no secret that the Vikings could use a little more certainty at the position, and the latest player cut could make the biggest difference of anyone on the Vikings' defense.
Vikings should sign Jaire Alexander
There has been a lot of speculation about the Vikings trading for Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey. A trade is certainly a possibility for the Vikings to make, but their mid-round draft pick pool isn't the most flush until they get their compensatory selections.
The more likely option for the Vikings would be to sign someone in free agency, and they got their wish on Monday morning when reports emerged that the Green Bay Packers were set to release cornerback Jaire Alexander. The framing of the report is to try and spur a last-second trade, but he should be a free agent by the end of the day on Monday.
Why would the Vikings want to bring in Alexander? The reasons are bountiful, but they boil down to three things.
Our Green Bay Packers beat writer Wendell Ferreira gave us a breakdown of what Alexander is right now and the situation in Green Bay that led to his release.
Jaire Alexander is still a great player when he's available. In 2024, he allowed a 79.9 passer rating when targeted. He had two interceptions, including a pick-six against the Tennessee Titans, and three pass breakups. Alexander allowed receptions in only 56% of the times he was targeted, which was his best number since an All-Pro season in 2020. But it doesn't make the Packers' decision to release him absurd, because there were several factors helping explain it.
First, injuries. Over the past four years, Alexander was on the field in only 34 of 68 possible games, with injuries all around his body — shoulder, knee, groin. Last year alone, he missed 10 games. He played only 10 snaps in six games against NFC North opponents. There were also some internal issues, even though the Packers always tried to hide them as much as possible. When Alexander got suspended by the team in 2023 after a coin toss fiasco in Carolina, head coach Matt LaFleur said the decision was a culmination of factors. "It was never for one thing," LaFleur explained.
After how things went last season, ESPN's Rob Demovsky reported that the Packers "expressed frustration with Alexander's inability to stay healthy and/or play through injuries," an indication that the team probably was more willing to allow him to play than the player was to being on the field down the stretch. The Vikings or any other interested teams have to weigh all these factors. If the roster has the salary cap room to make a deal, the depth to endure him missing time due to new injuries, and the culture to absorb his unique personality, Alexander's high-end play could be worth it.
Historically, the Vikings have LOVED to sign cornerbacks who are on the downside of their careers, with some framing it as washed. From Chris Dishman to Bashaud Breeland and Stephon Gilmore, it's been a trend for year and years. At 28 years old, it would be a tough sell that Alexander is at this part of his career, but his injury history suggests that it could be.
Over the last four seasons, Alexander has played in just 34 of a possible 68 games, and 16 of those games came in 2022. When he does play, Alexander is great. He intercepted five passes in 2022, made the Pro Bowl Games, and was a second-team All-Pro. The Packers ended up cutting him mainly due to financial reasons, as he was set to count $24.6 million on the salary cap, and cutting him saves over $17 million in 2025.
Injuries can be a major deterrent for most teams, but it isn't for the Vikings. Signing players who are injured has been their edge in the market. Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel, Blake Cashman, and Aaron Jones were all massive hits on the 14-3 squad from last year. This year, they made more calculated bets in Jonathan Allen, Javon Hargrave, Ryan Kelly, and Will Fries.
There are two other aspects that make the Vikings a top contender for Alexander. One of them is playing the Packers. The Vikings face them twice per year, and there is a history of former Packers coming across the border to play for Minnesota.
The other factor is playing for Brian Flores. His defense relies on patience and aggressiveness at the catchpoint, something that Alexander can bring in droves. He also wouldn't be forced to be the top cornerback, as Murphy earned that role over the last year. That would strengthen the position to an elite level.
One thing that could complicate things would be the contract. He signed a four-year deal worth $21 million per season that he signed in 2022. Now, he's not going to get that much money, but Alexander won't come cheap. Would he be willing to take a one-year deal worth around $10 million? It would be similar to what the Vikings gave Stephon Gilmore with more added to it due to Alexander's youth and upside in comparison to what Gilmore brought to the table.
We don't know that the Vikings will be interested, but if they are, Alexander will be a Viking soon, and he will only have to face Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in practice.
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