The Green Bay Packers finally made a splash signing during the 2024 off-season. In fact, they made two. Safety Xavier McKinney and running back Josh Jacobs were arguably the two best players at their position in the open market this off-season. Both landed with the Packers.
After the first OTA practice, McKinney had a lot to say regarding his new secondary.
New Green Bay Packers Safety Xavier McKinney Made Emphatic Statement After Practice
Take a look at the current safety market. The options are still numerous: Jamal Adams, Justin Simmons, Quandre Diggs, Eddie Jackson, and Micah Hyde.
So is there any rationale behind the Green Bay Packers’ decision to sign Xavier McKinney to a four-year, $68 million contract? Rather than patching the position, they wanted a cornerstone, and they believe McKinney, 24 years old, can do just that.
After practice today, he said this was the best group he has been around:
“This is the best group that I’ve been a part of since I’ve been in the league”
- Xavier McKinney on the Packers secondary pic.twitter.com/V01vZTPXqM— Hogg (@HoggNFL) May 22, 2024
McKinney And The Packers Secondary Has A Ton Of Potential This Year
“He (McKinney) is a unique player to come available,” Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said. “He’s 24 years old, one of the top safeties in the game, a guy that can be a game-changing type player. And he really kind of fits a little bit of a criteria we’re looking for in a free agent, not only as a player, but as a leader back there.”
McKinney’s signing didn’t stop the Packers from drafting three safeties. It allowed them to place their young players where they want. That incldues Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, and Kitan Oladapo.
The revamped Safety position coupled with Jaire Alexander and Eric Stokes could create for one of the top secondaries in the NFL. Clearly McKinney already thinks so.
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