Pittsburgh Steelers secondary coach Gerald Alexander is leaving the team to head to the Minnesota Vikings to become their defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach, replacing Daronte Jones, who became the Minnesota Vikings’ defensive coordinator.
Mike McCarthy had hoped to retain Alexander, who was excellent in his first season with the team, leading to breakout seasons for Joey Porter Jr., James Pierre, and Brandin Echols.
Alexander is a fast-rising coach who was the safeties coach for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024. After Antonio Pierce was fired for Pete Carroll, the Steelers snapped up Alexander. .
Before that, Alexander was the defensive backs coach for the Miami Dolphins from 2020 to 2021. He came from the college ranks, where he cut his teeth coaching defensive backs, most notably at California from 2017 to 2019, where he produced three NFL players during that timespan.
The Steelers are hiring Washington Commanders defensive pass game coordinator Jason Simmons in what was described as a ‘prominent’ role, and likely to be in the same position he was in Washington. It is unknown if the Steelers will tag on defensive backs coach responsibilities or try to add someone else to the room now with Alexander leaving.