When the Green Bay Packers signed free agent safety Xavier McKinney during the offseason, they hoped he would give the team a significant upgrade at the position. The former New York Giants star has done just that and more. In fact, through 11 games, McKinney has played well enough to be a strong candidate for All Pro honors and even possibly NFL Defensive Player of the Year. There is no doubt that Packers safety Xavier McKinney has proved he’s an impact player.
Packers Safety Xavier McKinney Has Proved He’s an Impact Player: What He’s Done So Far
It didn’t take long for McKinney to make his presence known in Green Bay. He immediately upgraded the team’s deep coverage in the secondary. According to pro-football-reference.com, opposing quarterbacks only completed 57.1 percent of their passes when throwing to receivers covered by McKinney this season. Their quarterback rating is just 49.2.
He also intercepted a pass in each of the team’s first five games of the regular season. He is presently tied for the league lead in interceptions with seven.
McKinney believes that’s why Packers GM Brian Gutekunst signed him. “That’s what I came here to do,” McKinney said. “That’s why I was brought in, to be able to make big-time plays when we really need it.”
He has certainly been able to do that and then some. Right now, with six games left in the regular season, he needs three interceptions to tie the Packers all-time single-season interceptions record which is 10. That was set by Irv Comp who did it in just nine games back in 1943. The Packers have had a player make nine interceptions in a single season 11 times with such great names as Charles Woodson, Bobby Dillon, Willie Wood, Willie Buchanon, and Mark Lee among those accomplishing that feat.
McKinney’s Impact Against San Francisco
McKinney showed his value again in last Sunday’s win over the San Francisco 49ers. The Packers were clinging to a 17-7 lead in the game as the second half got started. The 49ers received the kick to start the third quarter and had a chance to make it a one-score game.
The 49ers moved downfield and reached the Green Bay 39 where they faced a critical 4th-and-2 play. Niners quarterback Brandon Allen looked for Christian McCaffrey in the flat. But McKinney broke the pass up and that ended the 49ers drive.
On San Francisco’s next drive, McKinney made an even bigger play. The 49ers had moved the ball into Green Bay territory again, this time reaching the Packers 45. On 3rd-and-8, McKinney intercepted a pass intended for Deebo Samuel after linebacker Isaiah McDuffie got in the line of Samuel’s vision. The ball bounced off the receiver’s hands and into McKinney’s. He ran the ball back to the San Francisco 26.
“They were dropping a lot of passes, so I kind of played for the tip,” McKinney said after the game. “I saw what was in front of me, but I kind of figured that that one probably was going get straight through the hands…So, I just played for the tip, and luckily it bounced right to me and I was in the right spot and I was able to make the play.”
The Packers took full advantage of the turnover and scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive. That made the score 24-7 and put the game practically out of reach.
Packers Safety Xavier McKinney Has Proved He’s an Impact Player: Praise from Teammates
McKinney’s teammates appreciate what he’s done for the team this season.
“X, he’s been lights out all year,” said defensive tackle Kenny Clark. “He’s been great. Yeah, [McKinney and Josh Jacobs are] two great additions to our team and two guys we definitely needed.”
Cornerback Keisean Nixon also appreciates what McKinney has brought to the team. “Seven picks now?” Nixon said. “I think that was a big-ass free-agent signing, but it’s kudos to him and his preparation.”
“The ball finds him, and that’s not a surprise or by chance at all,” rookie safety Evan Williams added. “It’s just him putting himself in those situations and being in the right spot at the right time so if anything happens where it’s not a catch, he’s going to be in the right place to make a play.”
The Packers will need McKinney to continue to play at an elite level. The team’s top cover corner, Jaire Alexander, continues to miss time due to a knee injury. That means McKinney’s strong play will be even more vital to the defense as the Packers prepare for the stretch drive and hopefully the playoffs.
