The Green Bay Packers were aggressive in addressing needs on their roster this offseason. During free agency, they made multiple splash signings, including that of safety Xavier McKinney.
A second-round pick of the New York Giants in 2020, Xavier McKinney cashed in this offseason as a free agent. Safety has been a position of need for the Green Bay Packers in recent seasons and his addition will help turn things around.
In the opinion of David Kenyon of Bleacher Report, signing Xavier McKinney was one of the best moves of the 2024 NFL offseason. Kenyon ranked the move No. 13 on his top 25 list.
“While a potential-filled, young offense aims to develop around Jordan Love, the Packers rebuilt the back end of the defense. They embraced a youth movement at safety that is focused on Xavier McKinney, who racked up 116 tackles last season and turns 26 in August. His four-year contract has a pricey $67 million sticker, yet only $23 million is guaranteed,” wrote Kenyon.
He was one of four players brought in this offseason by the team at the position. During the 2024 NFL Draft, the Green Bay Packers also selected Javon Bullard, Evan Williams and Kitan Oladapo.
That quartet will join Anthony Johnson Jr., a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft who could be the only holdover from last season’s team. Despite his youth, McKinney is the elder statesman of this group, someone the younger guys rely on heavily as they adapt to life as professionals.
Heading into the 2024 season, Xavier McKinney is a big part of the plans the Green Bay Packers have defensively. He is coming off a monster season with the Giants, where he displayed incredible durability by playing every defensive snap in the season.
The Packers, who have sometimes been hit hard with injuries at key positions, hope that will carry over to 2024 and beyond. A versatile player who can fill several roles in the secondary, Xavier McKinney provides a huge upgrade for the team to rely on at what has been an area of weakness.
