When the Green Bay Packers handed Xavier McKinney a four-year, $67 million deal last offseason, the bar was set high for the former Giants safety.
Few could have predicted just how transformative his impact would become on a defense that desperately needed a spark.
McKinney brought versatility, leadership, and game-changing playmaking ability to Green Bay’s secondary.
The result was a defensive unit that transformed into one of the most respected in the league, with McKinney earning official recognition as the No. 2 safety on the prestigious PFF50 list.
Xavier McKinney in his first season as a Packer:
🧀 90.2 coverage grade (2nd)
🧀 8 interceptions (2nd)
🧀 56.4 passer rating allowed (3rd)The No. 38 player and No. 2 safety on the PFF50 pic.twitter.com/b93PCiCx0N
— PFF (@PFF) July 15, 2025
McKinney recorded eight interceptions, tied for the second-most in the NFL, while allowing a passer rating of just 56.4 when targeted.
That figure ranked third among all safeties, showcasing his lockdown coverage skills. His 90.2 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus placed him second league-wide, earning him first-team All-Pro honors.
McKinney delivered much more than just ball-hawking skills to the Packers defense.
With 85 tackles, 11 passes defensed, and two tackles for loss, he proved capable of impacting the run game and controlling short-yardage situations.
His presence helped launch Green Bay from 31st to third in interceptions and from 23rd to fourth in takeaways.
Beyond the stat sheet, McKinney evolved into a locker room cornerstone. He embraced a mentorship role with rookies, organized the secondary, and became a trusted on-field leader for defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
As the 2025-26 season approaches, expectations continue climbing around the safety who is reshaping what elite play means in Green Bay.
