Vikings Leave Free Agent Sweepstakes Empty-Handed
The Minnesota Vikings have hired numerous former Packers in franchise history. Brett Favre is the most prominent name of them all. Currently, Aaron Jones serves as Minnesota’s RB1. The club had another chance to snatch a disgruntled ex-Packer, but the Ravens erased those thought on Wednesday.
Vikings miss out on Jaire Alexander.
Green Bay parted ways with cornerback Jaire Alexander a few weeks ago, and the Vikings were pretty much included on everyone’s landing spot list. Certainly, having another established cornerback would take care of the concerns in the secondary.
However, on Wednesday at about noon, news broke. Alexander will head to Baltimore.
Ravens.com’s Clifton Brown wrote, “Lamar Jackson urged the Ravens to sign Jaire Alexander, and the franchise quarterback’s wish has been granted. Alexander has signed with Baltimore, reuniting the two-time Pro Bowler with Jackson, his friend and former teammate at Louisville.”
Baltimore has invested in the secondary in recent years and should have one of the top units in the league, led by safety Kyle Hamilton and cornerback Marlon Humphrey. The last two first-rounders, CB Nate Wiggins and S Malaki Starks, also play in that secondary.
“The 28-year-old Alexander has been one of the NFL’s top cornerbacks when healthy and is a physical player who loves the challenge of covering top receivers. He will add experience and depth to the team’s cornerback group led by four-time Pro Bowler Marlon Humphrey and talented second-year pro Nate Wiggins.”
Alexander projects to play on the outside, although he has experience in the slot.
Brown concluded, “Alexander projects to be the outside cornerback opposite Wiggins, with Humphrey playing considerably inside. Jackson said Tuesday that he had spoken to Alexander since the Packers released him on June 9, and the franchise quarterback made it clear he hoped the Ravens would add him to their roster.”
According to Adam Schefter, the defender was quite cheap for the Ravens: “Compensation update: Former Packers CB Jaire Alexander signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Ravens. He turned down more to be in Baltimore with his former college teammate, Lamar Jackson.”
We might never know if the Vikings were actually interested and made an offer.
Alexander has struggled with injuries in the past. In the last two seasons, in fact, he only played in seven contests each. He logged two interceptions and 16 tackles last year. The 2018 first-rounder out of Louisville is a two-time Pro Bowler and a two-time second-team All Pro. That was as recently as 2022.
When he was on the field, however, he was still decent, according to his PFF resume:
- 2018: 72.4 (30th/112 eligible CBs)
- 2019: 71.9 (23rd/116)
- 2020: 90.7 (1st/121)
- 2021: 73.4 (N/A)
- 2022: 80.3 (8th/118)
- 2023: 75.9 (22nd/127)
- 2024: 75.2 (19th/116)
Justin Jefferson was infamously hit with the griddy in Week 17 of the 2022 campaign, while Jordan Addison hit Alexander with a nasty double move in 2023. Alexander and Jefferson have a history of sending some verbal shots at each other. In Week 10, they get the chance for a rematch at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Until further notice, the Vikings will enter the season with Byron Murphy Jr. as the top CB, with Isaiah Rodgers, Mekhi Blackmon, and Jeff Okudah competing for spots next to him.
There are still some veterans on the market if the Vikings want to strengthen the room. Two of those are departed Vikings Shaq Griffin and Stephon Gilmore. Asante Samuel Jr. and blitzing slot defender Mike Hilton are still available. Jalen Ramsey could be an all-in move via trade.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.