Packers, Xavier McKinney Agree to 4-Year, $68 Million Contract

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Hours after the Green Bay Packers signed former Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs to a four-year deal, a former New York Giants safety received one of his own. Xavier McKinney signed with the Packers on Monday to a four-year, $68 million deal per Ian Rapoport. The deal is the third-highest among safeties at $17 million per year.

McKinney Joins Contender

McKinney leaves the rebuilding Giants who finished the 2023 season 6-11 to join a potential Super Bowl contender in the Packers.

McKinney is coming off the best season of his young career according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). McKinney had the highest coverage grade (91.2) of any safety in the NFL in 2023. He finished seventh among all defensive backs in tackles with 116 and he was one of the four defensive backs with 115-plus tackles and 10-plus passes defended. In addition, he had 3 interceptions, a forced fumble and 2 fumble recoveries.

One of the Packer's biggest needs this offseason was safety after losing Darnell Savage, who signed a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday. Jonathan Owens and Rudy Ford are also free agents after playing significant snaps last season. Savage, who McKinney is replacing, held a PFF grade of 61.7 in 10 games.

New Look Packer Defense

McKinney's signing with the Packers is the first step in transitioning the defense into recently hired defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley's image. With the expected base 4-3, cover one and two defense, McKinney will play the essential over-the-top player. He'll be a large piece in helping the Packers run a defense that has been inadequate in recent years.

Packers are now expected to make more moves defensively with potentially another corner, safety or linebacker addition before the NFL Draft begins.