Xavier McKinney Channels Inner Rodney Dangerfield Ahead of Free Agency Voyage

It's unknown if New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney is familiar with the comic stylings of the late Rodney Dangerfield. But if nothing else, these days, McKinney at least relates to the comedian known for his popular catchphrase, "I don't get no respect!"

Such is the sentiment McKinney posted recently on his X (formerly known as Twitter) account, in which he stated his desire to "be appreciated in every way for what I do and bring to the table."

I want to be appreciated in every way for what I do and bring to the table . As a player and as a leader . I’ve stood by myself ten toes through the critics , the hate etc. sacrificing what those around me didn’t want too or were afraid too for those same people to make it a…
— Xavier McKinney (@mckinney15__) February 16, 2024

McKinney then went on to speak of sacrifices he made that others maybe weren't willing to make, sacrifices that didn't necessarily benefit him as much in the short-term, concluding his passionate message by saying, "And I’d do it 10 times over again."

McKinney was one of two Giants to play every snap this past season (the other being inside linebacker Bobby Okereke), a significant achievement for a guy who, in two of his first three seasons as a pro, missed chunks of playing time due to injuries.

While he didn't go into specifics about the sacrifices he made, according to Pro Football Focus, he played a career-high 388 snaps as a box safety, a move likely made to help shore up the Giants' 29th-ranked run defense.

Not surprisingly, McKinney finished with a career-high 116 tackles, second on the team behind Okereke's 149. Thirty-two of McKinney's tackles came against the run, the fourth-most on the team behind Okereke (64), linebacker Micah McFadden (41), and defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson (33).

McKinney has always insisted that he was a complete safety who, in addition to playing run defense, could also function just as well in coverage. This past season, he allowed a pass target completion percentage of 62.3, the second-lowest percentage of his four-year career.

McKinney didn't allow a touchdown in coverage and finished the season with a very respectable 53.0 coverage rating. That also includes his career-high 157 snaps in the slot.

McKinney is looking to score a big payday in free agency, presumably one that would put him at or near the top of the highest-paid safeties in the league, which include Derwin James of the Chargers, Minkah Fitzpatrick of the Steelers, Jamal Adams of the Seahawks, Jessie Bates of the Falcons, and Harrison Smith of the Vikings.

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