Free-agent safety Xavier McKinney is signing a four-year, $68 million deal with the Green Bay Packers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. McKinney spent four seasons with the New York Giants after being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. New York reportedly wanted to bring him back, but the two sides could not agree on terms. The 24-year-old has racked up 279 tackles, 1.5 sacks, nine interceptions, and 29 passes defended in his first 49 games. He will replace Darnell Savage in Green Bay, who is expected to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Xavier McKinney Still In Contract Talks With Giants
Impending free agent safety Xavier McKinney was not franchise-tagged by the New York Giants ahead of 2024 free agency, but the two sides are still "trying to figure something out," according to McKinney. The 2020 second-round pick has racked up 279 tackles, 1.5 sacks, nine interceptions, and 27 passes defended in 49 career games in New York. Although the two sides are still trying to reach a deal to bring him back, Jordan Raanan of ESPN said it seems they have not been close. If the team can not re-sign McKinney before the start of the legal tampering period on Monday, March 11, he will be free to negotiate with any of the other 31 franchises.
The New York Giants didn't use a transition tag on safety Xavier McKinney by the deadline on Tuesday, so he will hit the free-agent market next week, according to sources. The 24-year-old former second-round pick in 2020 out of Alabama had a career-high 116 tackles (78 solo), half a sack, three interceptions, 11 passes defensed, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 17 starts for the G-Men last year. In his four seasons in the NFL, he's racked up 279 tackles (180 solo), 1.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, nine interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 27 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 49 games (46 starts). McKinney will be extremely attractive on the open market this offseason for teams looking to improve their secondary.
Giants Designate Xavier McKinney To Return From NFI List
The New York Giants designated safety Xavier McKinney (hand) to return from the Non-Football Injury list on Thursday. McKinney's 21-day practice window is now open, and he's back at practice on Thursday with a giant cast/splint on his injured left hand. The 23-year-old is not expected to make his return in Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts this weekend, but he could be back in Week 18 or if the Giants make the playoffs. He hasn't played since Week 8, so the Giants will likely ease him back into the secondary when they feel that he's ready for game action. Before his injury, McKinney had 38 tackles (25 solo), one sack, four passes defensed and a forced fumble in eight starts.
The New York Giants placed safety Xavier McKinney (hand) on the Non-Football Injury list on Monday. McKinney injured his hand while on vacation riding an ATV during the team's bye last week, and he's expected to miss multiple weeks. It's a blow for the Giants secondary heading into a Week 10 meeting with the Houston Texans. The 23-year-old McKinney has gotten off to a nice start in his third NFL season, recording 38 tackles (25 solo), one sack, four passes defensed and one forced fumble in eight games played. With McKinney out for the next couple of weeks, the Giants will likely ask Dane Belton to step into a bigger role in New York's secondary.
Xavier McKinney, Oshane Ximines Return From Injured Reserve
The New York Giants Defense could have both safety Xavier McKinney (foot) and linebacker Oshane Ximines (shoulder) back in the mix Sunday versus Cincinnati after having designated both to return from Injured Reserve on Monday. McKinney was the team's second-round draft choice this year, although he would likely play a limited role in his first game, per head coach Joe Judge. Ximines has started three of the four contests that he has appeared in this year, combining for five tackles and three quarterback hits. Their availability will become clearer following Wednesday's practice. While not a standout group in their own right, the Giants defense should have streaming appeal due to its matchup versus Bengals backup quarterbackRyan Finley, who will be making his first start in place of the injuredJoe Burrow.
Xavier McKinney Suffers Broken Foot, David Mayo Tears Meniscus
New York Giants second-round rookie safety Xavier McKinney (foot) suffered a broken fifth metatarsal and will undergo surgery on Wednesday. He's expected to be out for around 10 weeks. Meanwhile, linebacker David Mayo (knee) has a torn meniscus. McKinney was one of the best safeties in the 2020 draft class, so this is a big blow to the Giants secondary, as McKinney would've likely been a starter right away. The 22-year-old played multiple positions at Alabama and is an elite athlete capable of making plays all over the field. Mayo, 27, made 13 starts for the G-Men a year ago and had 82 combined tackles (52 solo), one fumble recovery and two sacks in his first year in New York. His injury will test the Giants depth in the middle of the defense to open the year.
New York Giants rookie safety Xavier McKinney, a second-round pick in the draft, can do it all in the secondary and should be ready to play right away in Week 1. McKinney's coach at Alabama, Nick Saban, said that his teams typically do similar stuff to NFL teams from a coverage standpoint, making McKinney's transition much easier at the next level. "Even though this will be a transition, I think most of the things that 'X' is going to be exposed to, he's probably done. They might call it something different. I think it'll be an easy transition for him," Saban said. The G-Men need all the help they can get in slowing down the Eagles and Cowboys offenses this year.
The New York Giants used the No. 36 pick in the 2020 NFL draft to select Alabama safety Xavier McKinney. McKinney joins the Giants after a first-team All-ACC junior season which saw him rack up 95 tackles, three sacks, four forced fumbles, and three interceptions. McKinney posted impressive numbers with Alabama but he lacks speed, possessing just a 4.63 40-yard dash. That being said, he can be safely expected to be starting alongside Jabrill Peppers at the beginning of the 2020 season.
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