Packers have Kay Adams to thank for Xavier McKinney signing

The Green Bay Packers landed their top target at safety by signing Xavier McKinney.

McKinney can play the single-high safety role in Jeff Hafley's system. He is outstanding in coverage, tackles well, and can take the ball away, three key components of playing post safety in Green Bay's new-look defense.

He is also reunited with Derrick Ansley, the Packers' new defensive pass game coordinator. Ansley was McKinney's defensive backs coach and the lead recruiter at Alabama. He has since spent time in the NFL as a defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator. He joins Hafley's staff this season and will work closely with McKinney.

Before McKinney signed with Green Bay, he spoke about the possibility of reuniting with Ansley.

Interview with Kay Adams 'sparked interest' in Packers for Xavier McKinney

The Packers have Kay Adams to thank for helping McKinney choose Green Bay.

Last week, Adams interviewed McKinney on the Up & Adams podcast. She brought up Green Bay as a potential free agency fit, noting that Ansley was part of Hafley's staff.

During his introductory press conference with the Packers, McKinney revealed that he wasn't aware that Ansley was in Green Bay until his interview with Adams.

"I didn't even know that he was here until I did the interview with Kay and she mentioned it. That's when I figured out that he was even here," said McKinney. "Once I heard that, it was something I was happy about. It definitely was something that sparked interest for me, big time."

Ansley recruited McKinney to Alabama, and now Adams has recruited McKinney to Green Bay by telling him Ansley was there. It's perfect.

The Packers are a great fit. McKinney can become an All-Pro in Hafley's defense—he will line up all over the secondary in this system. The 24-year-old is an ascending player, and the best is yet to come.

Green Bay faced competition to sign McKinney, but Brian Gutekunst got the deal over the line for his top safety target. However, he should give an assist to Kay Adams.

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