The Minnesota Vikings’ biggest obstacle to contending in the NFC — assuming rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy continues to build on the promise he’s shown in minicamp — may be their lack of strength at cornerback.
That’s why Kay Adams, former NFL Network reporter and current host of Up and Adams, believes the Vikings should target two-time All-Pro and former Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander.
“My pick for where Jaire should land is the Vikings, without question,” Adams said Monday. “It would be hilarious — team up with the guy you love to go up against [Justin Jefferson]. There’s been a lot of history between Alexander and Minnesota. They need a cornerback, and when I talked to head coach Kevin O’Connell, that was the one concern I had in terms of them being a true Super Bowl contender.
Plus, Alexander would still get to face the Packers twice a year. It just makes too much sense. I’d love for him to stay in the NFC North.”
Do The Vikings Need To Bolster Their Secondary?
While the Vikings remain confident in the potential of Isaiah Rodgers and Mekhi Blackmon as promising young corners, many believe the team could still benefit from adding a veteran presence to the secondary.
Even after signing former No. 3 overall pick Jeff Okudah in free agency, Pro Football Focus still ranked cornerback as Minnesota’s top remaining need following the draft and free agency.
“The Vikings are set to replace over 1,000 coverage snaps with the exits of Stephon Gilmore and Shaquill Griffin,” PFF’s Trevor Sikkema wrote in early May. “They’ll now be relying heavily on Isaiah Rodgers, who posted a 70.5 coverage grade with the Eagles last season, and Mekhi Blackmon, who’s coming off a torn ACL.”
How Would Jaire Alexander Fit In With The Vikings?
The Vikings have a history of bringing in former Packers who’ve fallen out of favor in Green Bay. The most iconic example remains Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre, who joined Minnesota in 2009 and led them to the NFC Championship in his debut season. In recent years, notable names like Aaron Jones and Za’Darius Smith have also found success in Minnesota after being cut loose by the Packers.
Jaire Alexander’s potential release, however, seems likely to be less dramatic. With ongoing dialogue between him and the organization over the past several months, a parting of ways wouldn’t come as a shock. Still, regardless of the Packers-Vikings rivalry, Minnesota looks like a perfect landing spot.
Unlike other teams in need of cornerback help—such as the Miami Dolphins—the Vikings are legitimate contenders. And with a young, developing secondary already in place, they wouldn’t be asking Alexander to shoulder the full workload or stay healthy across all 17 games. Instead, he’d provide valuable versatility as both a boundary and slot corner, while serving as a seasoned mentor for players like Mekhi Blackmon and Isaiah Rodgers heading into 2025 and beyond.
