Xavier McKinney Has Been Worth Every Penny

Playmaker, stud, savior? These are just a few words that describe Xavier McKinney in his first year with the Green Bay Packers. This offseason, the historically frugal Green Bay Packers shocked the football world by signing arguably the best safety on the market to a four-year, $67 million contract, with $23 million guaranteed. They lured him away from the New York Giants, who drafted him with the 36th pick of the 2020 draft out of the University of Alabama.

The Packers understood they needed to completely revamp their woefully underperforming safety group from 2023. Committing that amount of money to a position many NFL teams have deprioritized in recent years was a bold move. Five teams released accomplished safeties in cost-cutting measures last offseason, saving NFL teams $103 million in salary – the largest amount of any position in the league. Special players who check all the boxes rarely hit free agency, so when McKinney became available, the Packers pounced. So far, he’s been worth every penny.

One big reason Green Bay bucked the trend and spent on safety is the importance of that position in new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s defense. At his introductory press conference, Hafley spoke about the ideal fit for his system.

“I want a guy who can go from sideline to sideline and take the ball away,” he said. “I think that position has to be a guy with high ball production – meaning, he’s gotta be able to intercept the ball. He’s gotta be a guy who can communicate, get guys lined up, and make calls – and I’d love a guy who can play man.”

That description didn’t fit anyone on Green Bay’s roster at the time (or in a very long time, for that matter). Brian Gutekunst knew that if hiring Hafley was going to be successful, he needed to get him a star safety. Enter Xavier McKinney.

McKinney was a stalwart on a 6-11 Giants team in 2023. After an injury-plagued rookie season, McKinney blossomed into a star, making his biggest leap this past season. In Wink Martindale’s defense, he was a two-time captain at 23 and 24 years old and played every snap on defense. He tallied 11 passes defended, nine interceptions, and excelled in run support.

Pro Football Focus ranked McKinney as the league’s highest-graded coverage safety, and he also had the fourth-highest defensive grade among all safeties in the NFL. A sure tackler with a career missed tackle rate of only 10% each season, McKinney is a significantly better player than Darnell Savage and others from last season, when Green Bay’s secondary constantly missed tackles.

McKinney is the definition of a do-it-all safety. The Packers are deploying him all over the defense, setting him and his teammates up to make plays. By adding him, the Packers can deploy many different defensive formations and lineups. Even if he wasn’t intercepting a ball a game, his presence alone would make him a worthy signing.

However, it helps that he intercepts a ball a game, picking up right where he left off last season. Against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, McKinney recorded his fifth interception with the Packers, making a bit of history in the process. He became the fourth player since the 1970 merger to record an interception in the first five games of a season.

McKinney has had six interceptions in his last six games, dating back to last season. The NFL record is eight consecutive games with an interception, which is within reach.

It’s not just interceptions McKinney brings to the table. Quarterbacks have difficulty throwing his way even when he doesn’t catch it. Through the first five games of the 2024 season, he’s allowed two catches on seven targets for 23 yards. He has also only allowed eight yards after the catch, no touchdowns, five interceptions, one pass breakup, and an opponent passer rating of just 1.2.

McKinney was perfectly positioned to recover a fumble that Kingsley Enagbare forced, flipping momentum as the Rams were driving down the field.

He also had a massive pass breakup on LA’s first drive of the game. Three impactful plays, including two turnovers, are something any team would sign up for.

https://www.nfl.com/videos/xavier-mckinney-s-hit-stick-pbu-vs-atwell-forces-rams-into-punt-formation

When Green Bay’s defense needs a big play, McKinney delivers. Last week, the Packers were down 28-7 to the Minnesota Vikings, who had the momentum and trying to extend the lead. However, McKinney picked off Sam Darnold, giving the Packers a chance to regain momentum. Big-time players make big-time plays when their team needs it most, and that’s exactly what McKinney has been doing. No safety has won the Defensive Player of the Year award since Troy Polamalu in 2010, but McKinney has certainly put his name on the shortlist this season.

The Packers didn’t just bring in McKinney for his play on the field; they also needed his leadership. In addition to adding McKinney to help revitalize the safety group, the Packers drafted three safeties in 2024: Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, and Kitan Oladapo.

When adding that many rookies to a position group, you need a leader to show them how to be professionals and play the game at the highest level. Already a two-time captain, McKinney is the perfect player for that role. At age 25 and in his fifth season, he has a rare combination of youth and high-level experience. He has been the perfect fit for the Packers, the youngest team in the league.

Historically, the Green Bay Packers have hesitated to sign outside free agents, with only a few substantial additions over the years. But it usually works out when they decide to take the leap. Xavier McKinney is quickly adding his name to the list of Green Bay’s defensive legends alongside Reggie White and Charles Woodson. White and Woodson helped deliver championships to Green Bay. Can Xavier McKinney be next? Time will tell, but one thing is clear after five weeks: He has been well worth the money.