Packers’ Top Free-Agent Signing Earns Mixed Reviews From Execs

The Green Bay Packers didn’t make a lot of notable additions this offseason, as they have instead apparently opted to rely on internal improvement for the 2024 season. It’s no wonder why, as they’re a young team that seems to be rapidly on the rise.

They have a bright young quarterback in Jordan Love who finished last season with a flurry, as well as four young wide receivers — Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks — who seem to have lots of room for growth. On defense, they appear to have potential, but their secondary needed help.

Thus, they went out and signed safety Xavier McKinney, a 25-year-old free agent who spent the last four years with the New York Giants.

On one hand, it looks like a very strong signing. Not only is McKinney young, but based on the opinions of executives, coaches and scouts around the NFL, ESPN named him the 10th best safety in the league earlier this month.

One personnel evaluator was glowing in his description of McKinney’s game and ability.

“Versatile safety that provides scheme flexibility because of his physical attributes and athletic profile,” an NFC personnel evaluator told ESPN. “I think he’s grown over the past year in terms of his man coverage, blitz and disguise ability. He showed more this past season that he can be strategically moved around the backfield and deployed in multiple ways.”

McKinney is six feet tall and weighs about 200 pounds, and last season, he had his best campaign with 11 passes defended, three interceptions and 116 total tackles (78 solo).

However, another figure ESPN consulted doesn’t think as highly of the University of Alabama product.

Is Xavier McKinney truly elite?

“He doesn’t scare you,” an NFL coordinator said , mentioning that he is good all-around, but lacks special tools.

Regardless, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has thought highly of McKinney for a while.

“I just think he’s a unique player to come available,” Gutekunst said shortly after signing McKinney. “He’s 24 years old, one of the top safeties in the game, a guy that can be a game-changing type player. And he really kind of fits a little bit of a criteria we’re looking for in a free agent, not only as a player, but as a leader back there.”

Green Bay’s front seven seems solid. Defensive tackle Kenny Clark had 7.5 sacks and 16 quarterback hits in 2023, both of which were career highs, while making his third Pro Bowl in the last five years.

Meanwhile, linebackers Rashan Gary and Preston Smith combined for 17.0 sacks, 43 QB hits and 11 tackles for loss last season.

As explosive as they appear offensively, the Packers will have to plug their holes defensively if they are to have any chance of finishing first in the NFC North, let alone seriously contending for a spot in Super Bowl LIX this winter.

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