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Packers’ Xavier McKinney given top-5 safety praise for continuing to ‘haunt’ Giants appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New York Giants are still feeling the consequences of letting Xavier McKinney leave in free agency.
After two dominant seasons with the Green Bay Packers, McKinney has transformed from a promising young defensive back into one of the NFL’s premier safeties. Now, Sports Illustrated is giving him the recognition he has earned, ranking him as the No. 4 safety in the league entering the 2026 season.
SI highlighted just how impactful McKinney has been since leaving New York:
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“The Giants’ decision not to re-sign McKinney continues to haunt them, as he’s developed into one of the league’s best safeties in Green Bay. Across two seasons with the Packers, McKinney has recorded 10 interceptions (including eight in 2024), 21 pass defenses, 195 tackles and two sacks. A ball hawk in coverage, McKinney was a first-team All-Pro selectee in ’24 and made the All-Pro second team in ’25.”
Those numbers explain why McKinney has quickly become one of the most respected defensive players in football. His ability to create turnovers has completely changed the Packers’ secondary. McKinney’s instincts, range, and playmaking ability give Green Bay a true difference-maker on the back end of the defense.
Since arriving in Green Bay, he has consistently proven that he is more than just a solid starter—he is a game-changing safety capable of impacting every level of the field. The Packers needed a leader in the secondary, and McKinney has become exactly that.
While the Giants continue searching for answers on defense, Green Bay has enjoyed the benefits of one of the NFL’s best offseason additions. McKinney’s rise is a reminder that finding and retaining elite defensive talent can completely change the trajectory of a franchise.
At just 27 years old, McKinney still has plenty of football ahead of him. If he continues playing at this level, the Packers won’t just have one of the league’s best safeties—they may have one of the most valuable defensive players in the entire NFL.
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