Another Mega-Star Commit To Green Bay Packers.
Safety Xavier McKinney played every defensive snap for the New York Giants during the 2023 NFL season. But he won’t play a single one for New York in 2024: The former Alabama defensive back is leaving in free agency for the Green Bay Packers.
The Packers plan to sign McKinney to a four-year, $68 million contract when his current deal with the Giants expires at 3 p.m. CDT Wednesday, NFL Network and ESPN reported on Monday.
At 11 a.m. Monday, players with at least four seasons of NFL experience and expiring contracts could begin negotiating deals with other teams, and Green Bay quickly targeted McKinney.
The defensive pass-game coordinator for the Packers is Derrick Ansley, who was Alabama’s defensive-backs coach during McKinney’s freshman season with the Crimson Tide.
Reports on Monday indicated Green Bay also plans to add former Alabama running back Josh Jacobs in free agency. McKinney and Jacobs were Crimson Tide teammates in 2017 and 2018.
In 2023, McKinney played all 1,128 of New York’s defensive snaps and recorded 116 tackles, three interceptions and 11 passes defended. Only three other NFL players reached those numbers in those three stats in 2023 – Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Fred Warner and Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. Bates was a Pro Bowler and Warner and Winfield were first-team All-Pro picks.
McKinney has not earned all-star accolades even though in his two NFL seasons unaffected by injury he recorded 209 tackles and eight interceptions.
McKinney has played in 49 regular-season games since joining the Giants in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. A foot injury caused him to miss the first nine games of his rookie season. A hand injury sidelined him for eight games in the 2022 season.
The Green Bay Packers, in a move that left fans and followers stunned, decided to part ways with longtime running back Aaron Jones. Despite being amid contract negotiations, the NFC North squad made the surprising decision to release their star player. Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst needed to clarify the situation, releasing a statement about Jones’ unexpected departure from the franchise.
Jones and the Packers tried to agree on a restructured deal to reduce his cap number for 2024 but quickly found his replacement via former Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs. Green Bay also released another franchise cornerstone on Monday in the form of offensive tackle David Bakhtiari.
General manager Brian Gutekunst released a statement following Aaron Jones’ release from the Green Bay Packers. Although somewhat cookie-cutter, Gutekunst’s words were passionate about Jones’ time with the franchise. “We want to thank Aaron for his unwavering commitment to the Packers and the community over the past seven seasons,” said Gutekunst.
He continued, “It is certainly one of the hardest decisions we’ve had to make in my time with the Packers and not one taken lightly. He has not only had a significant impact on the field and in the poker room, but he is one of the most beloved players in the community. We wish nothing but the best for Aaron and his entire family moving forward.”
Head Coach Matt LaFleur chimed in, “Today is a tough day for the Packers and our community. As good a player as Aaron is on the field, he is an even better person.”
“When I arrived in Green Bay as a first-time head coach, he was instrumental in establishing our winning culture and always served as the greatest example of what it meant to be a Packer. Aaron will always be one of the best players I had the opportunity to coach. He, his son, Junior, his mom, Vurgess, and his family will be missed,” finished LaFleur and the team statement on Aaron Jones’ release.
