Vikings coach Mike Zimmer explained to Alexander in 2016 that there were two paths to take. The cornerback, eventually, took the correct one.
Mackensie Alexander’s development with the Vikings has come in distinct stages, from the youthful intransigence of his 2016 rookie season to frank conversations with Mike Zimmer before the 2017 about what would have to change if he wanted to see the field. The next stage came in 2018, when Alexander took command of the Vikings’ nickel cornerback spot with Terence Newman retired and Mike Hughes out because of a torn ACL.