Yet, if there is one position on roster, outside of quarterback, where the Vikings seemingly have major question marks, it’s in the secondary… specifically at cornerback. Their 2024 CB2 Stephon Gilmore is still a free agent, as is their former CB3, Shaq Griffin.

2025 Minnesota Vikings CB room could use some help… right?

That leaves the cornerback room with newly re-signed Byron Murphy Jr, along with newcomers Isaiah Rodgers and Jeff Okudah. Minnesota will also lean heavily on 2023 3rd rounder Mekhi Blackmon and 2024 UDFA success story, Dwight McGlothern.

So, unless you count Jeff Okudah — which you shouldn’t since he was benched in Detroit before the Vikings picked him up for pennies on the dollar this offseason — the 2025 Minnesota Vikings have just one proven starting-caliber cornerback on roster, as they prepare for training camp next month.

That’s why many thought the Minnesota Vikings would be extremely interested in former Green Bay Packers top cornerback, Jaire Alexander, when he hit the market a couple of weeks ago. But after a week or so scouting out some potential new homes, the 28-year-old former No. 18 overall pick landed in Baltimore.

No interest in Jaire Alexander?

So, what happened? Well, there was a reason why the Vikings were never mentioned in the same breath as Alexander, once NFL insiders started to get a better idea of what teams were calling on the 2x Pro Bowler… as opposed to who wasn’t.

And as it turns out, according to a mailbag article at The Athletic, Vikings beat writer Alec Lewis, writes that Minnesota was never really interested in Jaire Alexander, because (a) he wouldn’t fit in their locker room and (b) the Vikings insist they are content with the CB talent they already have on roster.

Were the Vikings one of the teams that lost out on bidding for Jaire Alexander? — Evan J.

No.

The Vikings’ front office constantly explores creative additions. It’s one of the tenets of how Adofo-Mensah operates: Rarely do they dismiss any options or opportunities. Alexander — and you can categorize Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey in a similar boat — was always a longshot. It’s not just their locker room fit, but it’s also the Vikings’ belief in the cornerback room they currently have.

Alec Lewis – The Athletic

Related: Minnesota Vikings No Longer Babying JJ McCarthy

Throughout his seven-year NFL career, Jaire Alexander has proven himself as one of the best cornerbacks in the league, when he’s invested. He has elite coverage skills, as evidenced by a yearly PFF coverage grade that hovers between 75-80, on average.

MN Vikings disinterest in Jaire Alexander had nothing to do with talent

His highest coverage grade came in 2020, at 91.1. In 2024, he posted a 78.3 coverage grade, which ranked 18th in the NFL among fellow cornerbacks, but was only average for him. Alexander’s PFF grades are backed up by accumulating 70 pass deflections and 12 interceptions in 78 career games played.

JORDAN ADDISON COOKS JAIRE ALEXANDER pic.twitter.com/aZKYKyGB57

— vikesinsider (@vikesinsider) October 29, 2023

In 2024, Jaire Alexander’s season was cut way short, due to injury issues and friction with decision makers in Green Bay. When the dust settled, he played in just 7 games, recording 16 combined tackles, 7 passes defended and 2 interceptions (one in which he returned for a touchdown).

Alec Lewis notes in his article that he wouldn’t be surprised if the Minnesota Vikings chatted with Alexander’s reps way early on in the process, as they usually check in on most notable free agents. But again, they were never really interested.

That does not mean the Vikings did not check in with Alexander’s representation. Nor does it mean the Vikings will refrain from future additions, even in training camp. More than anything, it’s a reflection of how they feel about their overall chemistry and talent.

Alec Lewis – The Athletic

My favorite Jaire Alexander memory as a Packer pic.twitter.com/TNRptkm2ut

— Thomas Sullivan (@Yfz84) June 10, 2025

Coaches and executives at TCO Performance Center have been very loud, both through their own public interviews and through various media insiders, that they feel good about their current crop of cornerbacks. Their disinterest in guys like Jaire Alexander and Jalen Ramsey is seemingly backing up that talk.

There is no more important position in all of sports than NFL quarterback. And for the second-straight season offseason, the MN Vikings swapped out one starting QB for another.

Are the Minnesota Vikings set at cornerback for 2025?

If the team is going to contend for more than regular season relevancy in 2025, they’ll have to do it with a well-constructed and balanced roster. And right now, the secondary leaves plenty to be desired. Byron Murphy Jr is back, but CB2 Stephon Gilmore and CB3 Shaq Griffin are both free agents.

Replacing them, for now, are guys with very little starting experience in the league like Isaiah Rodgers (13 starts in four seasons), Mekhi Blackmon (3 starts in one season) and former top 3 pick turned draft bust, Jeff Okudah.

Of any position on the Minnesota Vikings depth chart, cornerback invites the most questions. And let’s not forget that the Vikings’ CB situation in June 2025 is very similar to what it was in June 2024, when it was Byron Murphy, the aformentioned Shaq Griffen… and a room of nobodies.

Then on August 18, after the Vikings had already gathered for training camp, Kwesi inked Stephon Gilmore to a one-year deal. So… with minicamp starting on Tuesday and nearly two months until training camp starts, could Minnesota be planning the same type of high-end veteran cornerback signing between now and the start of the 2025 season?

Well, if they are, a new target was just made available on Monday, when longtime Green Bay Packer, Jaire Alexander, was released by our division rival to east. Could the 28-year-old Alexander be this year’s version of Gilmore… except younger and more valuable?

Kay Adams urges MN Vikings to sign Jaire Alexander

Well, popular NFL voice Kay Adams thinks it’s a no-brainer. After Jaire was just released today, the former Good Morning Football host urged on her independent show “Up and Adams” for the Minnesota Vikings to go get Alexander under contract.

"Go to the Vikings… They need a corner!" 👀

Kay thinks Jaire Alexander should stay in the NFC North, and Minnesota makes the most sense.@heykayadams | @Vikings pic.twitter.com/WIcjOA7oD3

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) June 9, 2025

“My vote for landing spot for one Jaire Alexander would be the Vikings. Of course. We can do the funniest thing ever here. Join forces with he-who-you-like-drawing-against. He who you have, I don’t know if this is bad blood or just two competitors who played the best at their position and enjoying each others company between the hash marks here. Go to the Vikings. So much has gone on between him and Minnesota over the years. They need a corner.

I talked to Kevin O’Connell about that being the only thing maybe I don’t love right now as far as keeping them from winning a Super Bowl. He gets a chance to play the Packers then twice a year. This would be perfect. Iron sharpening iron in practice against the Addison’s and Justin Jefferson’s. I would love Jaire to stay in that division.”

Kay Adams – Up and Adams

Kay Adams loves herself some Minnesota Vikings and there are few denying that the Minnesota Vikings — who have also been mentioned in rumors surrounding top CB Jalen Ramsey — could use more help on the outside. While acquiring Ramsey would require a trade, landing Alexander no longer would.

Related: Confirmed: Vikings Chose JJ McCarthy Over Aaron Rodgers

It might be weird to think that the two-time Pro Bowl Packers cornerback could don purple, but both Za’Darius Smith and Aaron Jones have made the leap in recent seasons. Obviously, Packer legends like Brett Favre and Greg Jennings made the leap across the border, before them.

Cornerback is still a need for the Vikings

Alexander has played in 78 games (76 starts) for Green Bay and has 12 interceptions. He’s coming off two injury plagued seasons in which he played just seven games apiece. He’s also had a long-running beef with Justin Jefferson. Nonetheless, the seven-year NFL vet would bring desperately needed experience to an extremely unproven Minnesota Vikings secondary.

Jaire Alexander did the Griddy in front of Justin Jefferson 💀 pic.twitter.com/DBdHER2Hey

— PFF (@PFF) January 1, 2023

#Vikings Justin Jefferson with the EXTRA LONG Griddy for #Packers CB Jaire Alexander 💀
pic.twitter.com/TDxMzeYCJ9

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) September 29, 2024

Whether it’s Alexander, Jalen Ramsey, or someone else, the Minnesota Vikings must do something at cornerback. They have invested a substantial amount across the roster this offseason, and they can’t afford to stop short of positioning themselves for success.

We know what Murphy Jr. is capable of and the Vikings have shown incredibly strong belief in Rodgers, since bring him in. Still, a 2025 NFL defense needs three good cornerback options at the least. As of June 9, Brian Flores’ defense does not have that.

Minnesota Vikings wide receivers can feast

Green Bay Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander started the first three weeks of the season. Then the Minnesota Vikings came calling and he was inactive. After a two-game absence, he returned for three more contests, but has been largely unavailable since.

Head coach Matt LaFleur was asked about Alexander’s availability Sunday against Minnesota, and the response didn’t sound promising.

Packer coach Matt LaFleur when asked if Jaire Alexander has a better chance to play this week: “I’d say probably not.”

Alexander (knee) was limited today. pic.twitter.com/rTWdfjjYDm

— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) December 26, 2024

Against the Chicago Bears, Alexander was limited to just 10 defensive snaps before exiting the game. Despite playing in only seven games this season, he has managed to secure two interceptions. His tackle count stands at 16, but he has also been effective in pass coverage, breaking up seven passes.

Minnesota jumped out to an early 28-0 lead in their first game against Green Bay. The 31-29 final score is relatively misleading, suggesting the amount of dominance the Vikings showed.

DARNOLD AND JETTAS. ARE YOU KIDDING???

📺: #MINvsGB on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/7ueoBJbPGE

— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024

Sam Darnold torched the opposition for 275 yards on 20-of-28 passing. He threw three touchdowns and was picked off once. Justin Jefferson put up 85 yards and a touchdown while Jordan Addison scored and had 72 yards of his own.

Related: Harrison Smith Returns to Practice in Latest Minnesota Vikings Injury Report

Sunday’s contest is highly anticipated with Minnesota seeking a chance to play for the NFC’s top seen in Week 18. Justin Jefferson will still be a focal point for Green Bay’s defense, but they’ll have to attack him without their top corner, once again.

Related: Former Vikings Fan Favorite QB is Unretiring to Sign with… the Lions

Green Bay has seen Alexander practice for days, but it’s understandable that he’d rather return against a weaker opponent in Week 18. The Chicago Bears have nothing close to a Jefferson for him to deal with. He has now ducked Minnesota for 424 days.

Green Bay has observed Jaire Alexander participating in practice sessions over recent days, but it’s clear why he might prefer to make his comeback against a less formidable opponent in Week 18. The Chicago Bears lack a receiver on the caliber of Justin Jefferson, whom he would have to cover if he played the Vikings. Interestingly, Alexander has now avoided facing Minnesota for 424 days.

Will Jordan Love play against Minnesota Vikings?

The Green Bay Packers have been without their starting quarterback since Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season. Jordan Love has been practicing for a couple of weeks now, but he wasn’t on the field for Week 3. Whether or not Love plays remains to be seen, but it looks likely.

Injury report will come out at 3, LaFleur says. Love was … limited. "Any time he's out there, it's encouraging." But he won't say if he knows one way or the other on his availability for Sunday.

— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) September 27, 2024

Sunday is only a couple of days away. The fact that Love continues to practice is a positive for the Packers. He did this same schedule last week though, and it was the Malik Willis show. The Vikings are preparing for both quarterbacks, but it certainly seems logical that the starter will be under center.

Related: Minnesota Vikings Injury Update: Who’s In and Who’s Out Vs Packers

Last season the Vikings went in to Lambeau Field, against Love, and emerged victorious, and did so without Justin Jefferson. On Sunday, Minnesota will come in fully healthy on offense.

Green Bay Packers top cornerback out?

While it seems likely that their QB will play on Sunday, the same cannot be said for their loud-mouthed cornerback, Jaire Alexander. Green Bay’s top defensive back has been limited all week in practice.

Nobody was overly concerned about his playing status. That was until Friday, when Alexander was held out of practice and listed with a full “Did Not Practice” designation. Now, it seems unlikely that he is ready to go. In most cases, players who do not practice on Friday do not play in the game that weekend.

#Packers CB Jaire Alexander did not practice today, and HC Matt LaFleur stated “Yeah, that’s a concern, for sure” when asked about his status.

Alexander is in danger of missing Sundays matchup against the #Vikings.

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) September 27, 2024

Per @Packers, CB Jaire Alexander is listed as Questionable heading into the #Vikings game Sunday. He officially was a DNP at today's practice.

Also, QB Jordan Love is listed as Questionable (to no suprise). G Jordan Morgan is Out and CB Carrington Valentine is Doubtful. pic.twitter.com/vEGP2BT1Zz

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) September 27, 2024

Since being drafted 18th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, Jaire Alexander has done his fair share of talking prior to Minnesota Vikings matchups. He has been unsuccessful in cashing most of those checks, and it’s possible he is out entirely on Sunday.

Minnesota’s WRs getting healthier, Green Bay CBs dropping

Last season, Justin Jefferson missed the Vikings vs Packers matchup, at Green Bay. Luckily, rookie Jordan Addison paddled Jaire’s butt up and down Lambeau Field, in JJ’s absence. The star cornerback tried to call the Vikings wide receiver’s performance a fluke, but the whole world knows.

Speaking of Jordan Addison, he is set to return this week. So the Minnesota Vikings will have two elite wide receivers on the field, while the Packers are unlikely to have their only elite corner. Despite being underdogs in the matchup, the Vikings should feel good about their chances to get a divisional win on Sunday.

Related: One Year Around Bud Grant Shaped Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell

Of course Jefferson is an entirely different animal in his own right. The Vikings offense has been clicking on all cylinders, and Green Bay being without their best cover corner isn’t going to be a detriment to Minnesota. Kevin O’Connell should have fun scheming against a defensive unit that is a bit lesser than those he has faced in recent weeks.

At the end of the day, Minnesota is most concerned about the players they have available in their locker room. The Vikings can’t control what Green Bay does, and they will look to emerge victorious on the scoreboard against whoever is out there.

There were many plays where JJ was matched up against defensive backs not named Jaire Alexander and even snaps where he was covered by linebackers. LINEBACKERS!!! The result was 184 yards and 2 touchdowns, on 9 catches for the best wide receiver in the league.

Shredded ’em. @JJettas2 pic.twitter.com/jvkyBCCfjd

— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) September 12, 2022

Where was Jaire Alexander?

Jaire Alexander is propped up as one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. PFF ranked him as the 2nd-best outside CB in football, entering the season. One ability that sets some of the best CBs apart from everybody else is their ability to matchup with the opponent’s WR1 on a game-in, game-out basis; shadowing them no matter where that receiver lines up. Only a handful of defensive backs each year are capable of such a task. For everyone else, it’s just abuse.

So, if Jaire Alexander is a top-5 defensive back, why wouldn’t the Packers have used him to tail Justin Jefferson on Sunday. He’d be better than a linebacker, right? These are the question everybody was asking after the game. Even Jaire, himself, apparently…

Justin Jefferson had a field day against the #Packers.

Jaire Alexander: "Why I wasn't on him? That's not my call. Anybody that watches me play, you know that's what I want." pic.twitter.com/WTy5QzdrNQ

— Lily Zhao (@LilySZhao) September 12, 2022

“Game plan was to not allow 18 to beat us…Why I wasn’t on him, that’s not my call. Anybody watch me play, you know that’s what I want.” – Jaire Alexander on why he wasn’t on Justin Jefferson.

— Nicole Menner (@NicoleMenner) September 12, 2022

Monday Morning Cornerback

What a weird answer. If Jaire Alexander really did want Justin Jefferson 1v1, wouldn’t he, at the least, know why he isn’t getting that matchup? Sure, I can see Green Bay deciding not to shadow JJ. I think it’s a dumb decision, but it’s possible that a defensive coach, in week one of the season vs a new offensive play-caller, would rather not adjust his schemes for a constant 1v1 matchup in the passing game.

But wouldn’t Alexander have asked for an explanation? ‘Hey coach, I thought I’d be going against Jefferson in week one? I was kind of looking forward to it.’ That way, when JJ torches your defense for nearly 200 yards and two scores, you’ll know why you didn’t get your 1v1 matchup?

He was asked by Packers reporters on Friday if he was going to shadow Jefferson. His exact words were, “Wherever he wants to go, we’ll have the best guy on him.”. Well, now we know that “the best guy” to have on JJ probably wasn’t everybody not named Jaire Alexander.

It’s easy to say you wanted Justin Jefferson mano e mano, after the fact. But if you really wanted the challenge, you’d at least know why you didn’t get it.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan