Packers' Xavier McKinney Reveals Surprising Detail Behind Giants Departure

One of the best moves the Green Bay Packers made during the previous offseason was signing former New York Giants safety Xavier McKinney to a four-year, $67 million contract.

In his first season with Green Bay, he made the Pro Bowl, was named First-team All-Pro and was a driving force in helping Green Bay rank sixth in points per game allowed (19.9) and sixth in total yards per game allowed (315.6).

Of course, none of that would have been possible if the Giants had not let him sign in free agency. Recently, in an interview with Ari Meirov of "The 33rd Team," McKinney revealed the Giants had no interest in an extension.

“You can always kind of tell, like, where a team is leaning and what they kind of want to do,” he said. “I could tell they didn't really want me there. You know what I'm saying? And, you know, I kind of knew that.”

That's certainly a surprise because in 2023, that final year with New York, Pro Football Focus had McKinney ranked as the fourth-highest-graded safety in the NFL.

That ranking makes sense because his numbers were extremely impressive, being targeted 65 times while allowing 41 completions for 456 yards, one touchdown, a 69.8 passer rating and snagging three interceptions.

The Giants have clearly missed McKinney's level of production because, in 2024, their defense was in the bottom half of the league, ranking 21st in points per game (24.4) and 25th in yards per game allowed (346.8).