One of the biggest stories of the Green Bay Packers in the first five games of the 2024 season is the way safety Xavier McKinney has been playing. Green Bay signed him in the offseason. He played for the New York Giants a season ago.
McKinney recorded an interception in the second half against the Los Angeles Rams in a 24-19 win for the Packers. This was his fifth interception of the year. Xavier McKinney is one of the best safeties in the NFL right now.
Green Bay Packers Safety Xavier McKinney Makes Surprising Non-Crazy Statement After the Game
Packers fans are ecstatic with the way that McKinney has played to start the season. Not many of them would have thought that he would have five interceptions within the first five weeks of the 2024 NFL season. After the game, McKinney was asked by The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman if someone told him that he would have a pick in each of the first five games, would he have thought they were crazy for thinking that?
McKinney responded:
“Nah. I wouldn’t have thought you was crazy at all. I went into the season — I’m on a mission, and that mission doesn’t stop until we played our last game. Everything that I didn’t get before, that’s what I’m coming for.”
This was some response by the former New York Giants safety. It would be crazy if he were to record an interception in every game played this season, but that most likely will not happen.
Head Coach Matt LaFleur Praises the Safety
McKinney is just 25 years old and he is a star in this league. Head coach Matt LaFleur also spoke to the media about McKinney’s play through the first five weeks after the game. LaFleur said:
“I don’t want to jinx it. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The guy just has a knack for the football and he’s got great ball skills. He’s very instinctive and smart to allow him to anticipate, to make plays and then he generally makes the play.”
This defense is more aggressive on the backend this season because of Xavier McKinney and also rookie Evan Williams. McKinney will continue to be the story of this defense for the Packers in the 2024 season.
