Xavier McKinney had what was by most accounts an excellent 2025 for the Green Bay Packers. He finished as PFF's eighth-graded safety and actually improved on his All-Pro 2024 campaign in several categories. ESPN's ranking series treated his performance as such, with front-office personnel and coaches voting him as the NFL's No. 3 safety, same as a year prior.
It is, of course, impossible to overlook McKinney's playmaking drop-off. He came up with only two interceptions last season versus eight in '24. There are several reasons to expect him to get back to wreaking havoc in 2026.
Most superficially, variance could work in his favor to turn a few more deflections into picks. In his two other full seasons, with the Giants, McKinney notched three and five interceptions. He might not get eight again, but he could be in for some positive regression.
Another, perhaps more interesting factor is the Packers' improved cornerback rotation, which should reduce the burden significantly on McKinney and the other safeties. Alongside Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine, count on Brandon Cisse, Benjamin St-Juste, and Domani Jackson combine providing a whole lot more than Nate Hobbs, Bo Melton, and Kamal Hadden last year.Â
Xavier McKinney has support he needs to return to All-Pro status
In addition to more robust corner depth and competition, perhaps Nixon settles into his role more comfortably this season after transitioning to the outside, further easing the strain on Packers safeties. Even if he doesn't, McKinney should get better support from the corners this season, allowing him to jump routes and ballhawk more often instead of scrambling to make up for botched coverages.Â
Will Jonathan Gannon's arrival as defensive coordinator, replacing Jeff Hafley, reinvigorate McKinney's playmaking streak? It's hard to say one way or the other, but it is true that, as far as turnover creation was concerned, McKinney suffered a steep decline between Years 1 and 2 under Hafley.
His talent didn't suddenly fall off a cliff; that much is backed up by his PFF score and positional ranking. He was actually more effective in coverage by completion rate (57.5) and passer rating allowed (69.2). He set full-season career-highs for both.Â
McKinney allowed 13.2 yards per catch versus 15.7 a year ago, and 7.6 yards per target versus 11.5, according to Pro Football Reference. He again surrendered a single touchdown and ranked second, per PFF, with seven pass breakups.
He had also fewer opportunities to hunt the football. Quarterbacks targeted McKinney 40 times last season (16 games played) versus 49 the year before (17). His average depth when targeted slipped only marginally, from 13 yards to 12.2, but completions against McKinney in 2025 averaged 8.65 air yards per attempt, compared to 11.33 in '24.Â
That could be mere noise, or it could suggest teams went after him downfield less often after he finished second in interceptions and made First Team All-Pro a season earlier.
McKinney should be able to play a bit freer and friskier this season with improved coverage on the sidelines. Maybe Gannon puts him in position to make more plays. Why not? McKinney is still elite. He might simply be due for a few more opportunities.
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