Xavier McKinney Lands with Packers
Safety Xavier McKinney aspired to be paid like a top-five player, and thanks to the Green Bay Packers, the 24-year-old former New York Giants defender is getting his wish.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that McKinney agreed to terms on a four-year deal worth $68 million. That comes to a $17 million APY, putting McKinney in the top five of the league's highest APYs for safeties.
The Giants, who had been reportedly considering using the transition tag on
The Giants clearly didn't want to pay the safety more than the $13.815 million cost of that tag per year. While it's unknown if the Giants extended an offer to McKinney, it's clear that the Packer's offer blew all others out of the water.
McKinney, who has started 46 of 49 games since landing with the Giants in the second round of the 2020 draft out of Alabama, has been fully healthy in two of those four seasons. He has nine career interceptions, 27 pass breakups (including a career-high 11 recorded last year), 1.5 sacks, and 279 total tackles (including 116 last year, also a career-high).
Twice voted a team captain, McKinney played every single defensive snap last season and is a versatile chess piece who can play in the box, deep, or in the slot.
McKinney's departure comes as no surprise. The Giants, meanwhile, have Dane Belton, who is entering Year 3 this season, as the likely replacement alongside Jason Pinnock. They will also look to add to the depth via the draft.
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