The Minnesota Vikings have pulled defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator Gerald Alexander off the field for three weeks without pay, sidelining him for a crucial chunk of training camp after he pleaded guilty to a third-degree DWI. The suspension, which started July 24 and runs through Aug. 13, stems from an April 26 traffic stop in Edina. The timeline of the case and the team’s response came to light July 28, 2026.
Alexander pleaded guilty on July 16 to a third-degree DWI after refusing to submit to a chemical test during the stop. Under the plea deal, he agreed to perform community service, pay a $500 fine and serve two years of probation. In a statement, he said, “I take full responsibility for the situation I put myself in and apologize for not meeting the mark,” while the Vikings called the punishment appropriate, as reported by the Star Tribune.
Alexander’s Role And Background
Alexander joined Minnesota in early February as the defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach, a significant title for a newcomer on a revamped staff. He has previously worked with defensive coordinator Brian Flores in Miami and Pittsburgh, experience the Vikings hoped would help reshape a secondary in transition, according to Vikings.com. His arrival positioned him as a key figure throughout the offseason program.
Team Discipline And Recent Precedent
The organization has gone this route before. In April 2024 the Vikings suspended offensive coordinator Wes Phillips for three weeks without pay after he pleaded guilty to a careless driving charge that grew out of a December 2023 traffic stop. That move drew plenty of local attention and set a clear blueprint for short, unpaid suspensions in impaired-driving related cases, as detailed by the Star Tribune.
Legal Stakes And What The Plea Means
Under Minnesota law, third-degree DWI is typically charged as a gross misdemeanor when an aggravating factor is present, for example a refusal to take a chemical test. It can carry penalties of up to one year in jail and fines under the state’s sentencing framework, per Minnesota statute. In practice, courts often exercise discretion, and prosecutors frequently negotiate plea deals that trade jail time for probation, community service or reduced fines.
For now, Alexander’s suspension keeps him away from on-field work while other assistants handle the secondary during practices. The Vikings said they coordinated with the NFL as the case moved through the legal system. With the regular season still weeks away, the team is keeping an eye on developments but has not announced any discipline beyond the current internal suspension.
