The Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings have long fueled one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries, with a history of bad blood and dramatic player movement across state lines. Names like Brett Favre, Aaron Jones, and Za’Darius Smith have famously traded their green and gold for purple and gold, leaving Packers fans fuming as their former stars thrive in Minnesota. Even Aaron Rodgers flirted with the idea of joining the Vikings before signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers last week. Now, the Packers may have handed their rivals another game-changer, as reports confirm they are releasing two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Packers informed Alexander of his release on Monday, June 9, 2025, just before he was set to attend the team’s mandatory minicamp. The decision, also reported by ESPN’s Rob Demovsky, comes as little shock given the strained relationship between Alexander and the team. With a hefty $24.6 million cap hit looming for the 2025 season, Green Bay reportedly offered Alexander a revised contract, but the 28-year-old declined, paving the way for his entry into free agency.
While Alexander remains a top-tier cornerback when healthy, his injury history—missing 34 games over the past four seasons due to injuries or suspensions—likely factored into the Packers’ decision. Still, his release has sparked speculation about his next destination, with the Minnesota Vikings emerging as a prime candidate to scoop up the former star.
Minnesota has been aggressive this offseason, focusing on building around second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings secured running back Aaron Jones with a two-year, $20 million deal and bolstered their offensive and defensive lines. They also locked in cornerback Byron Murphy Jr. with a three-year, $54 million contract. However, the depth behind Murphy is shaky. Isaiah Rodgers, acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles, has only 13 career starts in four years. Mekhi Blackmon, projected to start opposite Murphy, is recovering from a torn ACL suffered in last year’s training camp. The rest of the Vikings’ cornerback room—featuring former Detroit Lions draft pick Jeff Okudah, 2024 UDFA Dwight McGlothern, and free agents Ambry Thomas and Tavierre Thomas—lacks proven reliability.
Source: #Packers plan to release two-time Pro Bowl corner Jaire Alexander. pic.twitter.com/yTW5XzTFMB
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) June 9, 2025
Alexander, despite his injury concerns, represents a significant upgrade. At 28, he’s younger than other high-profile cornerbacks like Miami’s Jalen Ramsey, who has been linked to Minnesota but remains under contract with the Dolphins. Alexander’s injury history could also make him a cost-effective signing, offering the Vikings a chance to add a proven playmaker without breaking the bank.
For Packers fans, the thought of Alexander donning the Vikings’ purple jersey and embracing the “SKOL” chant is a nightmare scenario. The move would not only strengthen Minnesota’s secondary but also add fuel to an already intense rivalry. As Green Bay aims to close the gap with the Vikings in the NFC North standings next season, letting a talent like Alexander slip away could haunt them for years to come. NFL fans across the league are left in disbelief, wondering how the Packers let such a hidden gem fall into their rival’s hands.