Tag: Xavier McKinney

Xavier McKinney on Giants: ‘They didn’t want me there’

Safety Xavier McKinney says it was obvious during his final season in East Rutherford that the New York Giants didn’t want him there.

The New York Giants had a tumultuous offseason that culminated in the loss of running back Saquon Barkley, but he wasn’t the only star the team lost in free agency.

Although Barkley commanded the most attention, the Giants also allowed safety Xavier McKinney to walk.

Like Barkley, McKinney went on to have a career year. He was named to his first Pro Bowl and received First Team All-Pro honors after finishing second in the NFL in interceptions (8).

McKinney is understandably happy in his new home but not just because of the success. During a recent sit-down with Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, the safety acknowledged that he felt unwanted by the Giants throughout his final season in blue.

“I could tell they didn’t really want me there,” McKinney said. “I kind of knew that but for me, it was like I’ve still got to play well and I still have got to do the best I can for this team right now. I was still with the team and I was still all in but I could kind of tell the direction they were going.”

Asked about the departure of players such as himself, Barkley, Leonard Williams, and Julian Love, McKinney stopped short of criticizing general Joe Schoen or head coach Brian Daboll.

“That’s my old team,” he said. “They go about their business a certain way and they feel like how they do things is the right way. Ultimately, that’s how they feel.

“I can’t do anything but respect it and wish them the best of luck. That’s really all I can do.”

The Giants, of course, have had no luck. While so many of their former players excel for other teams, they continue to flounder at the bottom of the NFL.

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2025 NFL draft: Giants projected to receive one compensatory pick

The New York Giants are projected to receive one compensatory pick in the 2025 NFL draft but there’s an outside chance they get more.

The New York Giants are projected to receive a fourth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft as compensation for losing safety Xavier McKinney in free agency.

Per Over The Cap, the Giants lost four qualifying free agents — Saquon Barkley, Tyrod Taylor, A’Shawn Robinson, and Ben Bredeson — last year that were canceled out by the subsequent signings of Devin Singletary Jon Runyan Jr., Jermaine Eluemunor and Drew Lock.

This draft, the Titans, Browns, and Giants finished tied for the worst win-loss records in the league. The order of their picks in each round alternates; by the time the rotation makes it to the 8th round, Cleveland would be first in order, thus it is projected to get the Mr. Irrelevant pick. If additional supplemental comp picks are needed, the next one would be awarded to the Giants, and then the Titans.

The pick for McKinney is currently projected as the first compensatory pick of the fourth round.

Most of the questions this draft center around standard guesswork as to where the cutoffs on which round are. One question that remains is if the NFL Management Council will continue to oddly view restructured contracts as new contracts. If it no longer does this, it could be good news for the Giants and Dolphins.

Xavier McKinney had an outstanding season in Green Bay, with postseason honors boosting his contract very close to the 3rd round. Christian Wilkins, on the other hand, had a disappointing season in Las Vegas that was marred by injury, dropping his contract down to the 4th round. But if there’s a change, there’s a chance either or both could deliver a 3rd round comp pick instead.

The McKinney loss had no matching signing to offset it. The list of projected compensatory selections does not include picks awarded as per 2020 Resolution JC-2A, a policy that awards a club picks for losing minority candidates to other clubs in executive or head coaching positions.

Giants assistant general manager Brandon Brown has had two interviews with the Las Vegas Raiders for their general manager vacancy. Should he be hired away, the Giants would receive a compensatory third-round selection in each of the next two drafts.

Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, who is drawing head coaching interest, would also factor in under Resolution JC-2A.

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Michael Strahan takes shot at Giants’ Joe Schoen on FOX NFL Sunday

New York Giants legend Michael Strahan took a shot at the team and general manager Joe Schoen during the FOX NFL Sunday pregame show.

Things are so bad in East Rutherford that even New York Giants legend Michael Strahan is criticizing the team and its general manager, Joe Schoen.

During the FOX NFL Sunday pregame show, Strahan and the panel were previewing the day’s wild-card game, which featured two former Giants who are now All-Pros: Running back Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles) and safety Xavier McKinney (Green Bay Packers).

Strahan couldn’t resist taking a shot.

“Thank you New York Giants because you let (McKinney) go and you let Barkley go. Well done,” Strahan said with a sarcastic smile.

The Giants allowed Barkley to walk in the offseason after nearly two full years of failed negotiations. Some reports suggest as little as $2 million prevent the deal from getting done, leading to co-owner John Mara’s worst nightmare.

Barkley ultimately signed with Philly, rushed for over 2,000 yards, led them to an NFC East title, and picked up a playoff victory on Sunday.

Schoen also opted to let McKinney walk with an even weaker effort to re-sign him.

McKinney went on to record a career-high eight interceptions, second in the NFL, en route to his first All-Pro honor. He is in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year.

Obviously, the loyal and rarely critical Strahan wasn’t a huge fan of Schoen’s decisions.

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Xavier McKinney appears to take shot at Giants’ Kayvon Thibodeaux

Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney appears to have taken an unprovoked shot at the New York Giants and ex-teammate Kayvon Thibodeaux.

The New York Giants took a lot of heat for letting star running back Saquon Barkley defect down to Philadelphia in free agency last March, only to see him become the best version of himself.

But Barkley was not the only player the Giants chose not to retain who ended up on the All-Pro team this year.

Safety Xavier McKinney, who signed a four-year, $67 million free agent deal with the Green Bay Packers in March, was named All-Pro and to the 2025 NFC Pro Bowl Games roster.

Is McKinney bitter about the way his Giants’ career ended? He might be. He recently posted a puzzling message on his social media accounts apparently blasting the Giants and some former teammates, one believed to be linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux.

“To think he ever thought he was better than me and for them to try to push that … lol

“Oh and somebody tell buddy to hop hop [sic] off the melo podcast gossiping and lock back in on his craft.

“Yeah it’s always smoke … remember that ! Write it down take a picture IDGAF !”

Thibodeaux was on Carmelo Anthony’s podcast nearly a year ago and spoke about how his linebacker role equates to the safety role on the Giants’ defense. It seemed innocuous at the time. He was not disparaging McKinney or the safeties in any way.

But McKinney apparently did not see it that way. It looks as if he has a lot of unresolved issues with his former team and Thibodeaux.

“We are not the same,” McKinney wrote on X.

Not sure why McKinney dug out a year-old interview and decided to taunt the Giants and Thibodeaux here. Perhaps he’s just gloating over his success while his old team was among the league’s worst this year.

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Packers Xavier McKinney praises Jalen Hurts for the way he handles his business

Packers Xavier McKinney praises Jalen Hurts and the way he handles his business

Xavier McKinney and Jalen Hurts go back years to their time at the University of Alabama. Like many of Hurts’ former teammates, the Packers safety can only offer praise and admiration when describing the Eagles’ star quarterback.

Ahead of their NFC wild-card matchup on Sunday, McKinney praised his former college teammate.

The Packers’ most significant off-season acquisition and star safety, McKinney, was rewarded for his stellar first season with Green Bay by being named a first-team All-Pro with 31 first-team votes.

McKinney had 11 pass defenses and a team-high eight interceptions, good for second in the NFL and the most by a Packer since Charles Woodson’s nine in 2009.

McKinney also led the team in defensive snaps with 1,067 and recorded 58 solo tackles (85 total), a sack, and a fumble recovery.

Giants produce multiple First-Team All-Pros … for other teams

The New York Giants didn’t land a single player on the 2024 AP All-Pro Team but three of their former players were named First-Team All-Pro.

The Associated Press officially announced their 2024 All-Pro Teams on Friday and to no surprise, the New York Giants were not represented.

Even nose tackle Dexter Lawrence, the Giants’ best player, was snubbed after missing the final month of the season with a dislocated elbow.

In total, four Giants received votes: Lawrence (24), wide receiver Malik Nabers (12), return specialist Ihmir Smith-Marsette (6), and long-snapper Casey Kreiter (1).

If that weren’t sour enough, general manager Joe Schoen ended up with some egg on his face as running back Saquon Barkley and safety Xavier McKinney, two players he let walk via free agency, were named First-Team All-Pro.

Ironically, co-owner John Mara cited Schoen’s work in free agency as one of the reasons he and head coach Brian Daboll were retained.

“I thought we had a really good free agency period,” Mara told reporters earlier this week. “I thought the free agents we brought in, including Brian Burns, were really a big plus. I think the staff that he’s assembled around him and the process that we go through now and the information that we have in making personnel decisions is better than I’ve ever seen it before.”

The problem with that line of thinking is that the Giants’ roster got worse while former players Schoen undervalued not only had success elsewhere, but helped lead those teams (Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers) to the playoffs en route to First-Team All-Pro honors.

A third former Giant, kicker Chris Boswell, was also named a First-Team All-Pro. That one can’t be blamed on Schoen, however. Boswell was let go in 2015 under then-general manager Jerry Reese.

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Packers S Xavier McKinney named first-team All-Pro in 2024

Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney was named a first-team All-Pro for the 2024 NFL season by the Associated Press.

Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney was named a first-team All-Pro for the 2024 NFL season by the Associated Press.

McKinney, a free-agent acquisition of the Packers, intercepted eight passes over 17 games, ranking second among all NFL players. He also recovered a fumble and had a third-down sack.

McKinney set a new career-high for interceptions and tied his career high with 11 passes defensed. According to Pro Football Focus, McKinney didn’t give up a touchdown pass in coverage and allowed an overall passer rating against his coverage of 56.4, the third-best mark among safeties. He also missed only five tackles and had the fifth-lowest missed tackle percentage among safeties (5.7 percent).

McKinney powered a revamped Packers defense that recorded 31 total takeaways and finished in the top 10 for scoring and yards allowed in the first season under defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.

McKinney was named a Pro Bowl starter in the NFC. Running back Josh Jacobs and edge rusher Rashan Gary were also Pro Bowlers for the Packers.

McKinney was the Packers’ only first-team All-Pro.

According to Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers’ official site, left guard Elgton Jenkins, right Zach Tom, cornerback/kick returner Keisean Nixon and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper also received All-Pro votes from the AP.

Packers S Xavier McKinney named first-team All-Pro by NFLPA

Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney was named a first-team All-Pro on “The Players’ All-Pro” team, as voted on by players through the NFL Players Association. 

Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney was named a first-team All-Pro on “The Players’ All-Pro” team, as voted on by players through the NFL Players Association.

Active players were asked to select the players who made the most “impact” in 2024. Players could only vote for players at their own position and positions they faced on the field.

McKinney, who helped the Packers jump into the top 10 for scoring defense in 2024, was one of two picks at safety.

McKinney, in his first season with the Packers, intercepted eight passes, ranking second overall in the NFL. He became the first Packers player to intercept at least eight passes in a season since Charles Woodson in 2009 and the first Packers safety since Darren Sharper in 2000.

The former New York Giant also recovered a fumble, producing a ninth total takeaway, and had a sack on third down.

McKinney made 88 tackles. He missed only five tackle attempts, per Pro Football Focus. McKinney didn’t allow a touchdown pass into his coverage, broke up three other passes in addition to the eight interceptions and gave up an overall passer rating of 56.4. His coverage grade at PFF ranked third among safeties.

McKinney intercepted a pass in five straight games to open the 2024 season.

Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton was the other first-team All-Pro selection at safety.

Packers get 3 Pro Bowlers in 2024: Josh Jacobs, Rashan Gary and Xavier McKinney

Three members of the Green Bay Packers were voted to the Pro Bowl roster for the 2024 season: running back Josh Jacobs, edge rusher Rashan Gary and safety Xavier McKinney. 

Three members of the Green Bay Packers were voted to the Pro Bowl roster for the 2024 season: running back Josh Jacobs, edge rusher Rashan Gary and safety Xavier McKinney.

Jacobs earned his third Pro Bowl selection, while Gary and McKinney are both first time Pro Bowlers.

Jacobs is fifth in the NFL in rushing yards (1,285) and second in rushing touchdowns (14) this season. He’s also third in missed tackles forced (66) and fifth in runs of 10 or more yards (31). He was previously a Pro Bowler in 2020 and 2022 while with the Raiders.

Gary leads the Packers in sacks (6.5), quarterback hits (14) and total pressures (44). He is also third in stops (27) and has a forced fumble and a fumble recovery over 16 games.

McKinney ranks second in the NFL in interceptions (seven) and total takeaways (eight). He had an interception during each of his first five games. By overall grade at PFF, McKinney (87.1) is No. 1 among Packers defenders and No. 4 among all NFL safeties.

Guard Elgton Jenkins is a first alternate, while other alternates include cornerback Jaire Alexander, defensive lineman Kenny Clark, tight end Tucker Kraft, quarterback Jordan Love, center Josh Myers and kick return specialist Keisean Nixon.

Incredibly, right tackle Zach Tom is not even a Pro Bowl alternate.

Spencer Rattler’s ball security will be tested vs. NFL’s best ballhawk

Spencer Rattler’s decision-making and ball security will be tested by the NFL’s best ballhawk on Monday night:

Spencer Rattler is stepping into his fourth start as the New Orleans Saints quarterback. It’s his first start since Week 8, and as long as Derek Carr remains out, Rattler will be the Saints’ starting quarterback. That stretch begins against the Green Bay Packers.

In last week’s contest, Rattler relieved Jake Haener and put on an improved performance. One of the rookie’s most glaring problems in his first stint was his issues protecting the football. He threw two interceptions in his first three games and fumble three times, too. As the Saints close out the season, Rattler must ensure he protects the football and avoids putting it in dangerous spots.

Rattler’s decision making will be put to the test this week, as Xavier McKinney is on the other side of the field. The Packers safety has seven interceptions, the most in the league.

McKinney’s presence should remain on Rattler’s mind. Rattler is going to take shots down the field, and McKinney is going to be waiting for the opportunity to get his hands on the ball.

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