The Green Bay Packers aren't wasting any time trying to fix their glaring need at the safety position.
General manager Brian Gutekunst plans to address safety in free agency, and Xavier McKinney is reportedly one of their targets. ESPN's Jordan Raanan reports that the Packers are "expected" to make a move for McKinney.
It would be a home-run signing for Green Bay. McKinney is the best safety available in free agency, is only 24 years old, and would fit perfectly Jeff Hafley's system. He could play as the single-high safety but offers the versatility to line up wherever Hafley needs him.
The Packers would reunite McKinney with their new defensive pass game coordinator Derrick Ansley, who was the lead recruiter and defensive backs coach at Alabama during McKinney's time there.
Green Bay will reportedly make a move for McKinney, but there will be serious competition.
Eagles emerge as serious competition for Packers to sign Xavier McKinney
The Packers understandably want to sign McKinney, but they are not alone.
According to Connor Hughes of SNY, the Philadelphia Eagles plan to "aggressively" target McKinney. Philadelphia desperately needs safety help and is fully aware of how talented McKinney is, having spent the past four seasons playing for the division-rival Giants.
Hughes adds that the Packers are also "very interested."
If the Eagles have serious interest, it could become a challenge for the Packers. They have significantly more cap space than Green Bay, while general manager Howie Roseman isn't afraid to make aggressive moves in free agency.
It comes down to how much Gutekunst wants McKinney in Green Bay. He is undoubtedly the Packers' best option in free agency and could become a star player in Hafley's defense.
But the Packers rarely overpay. If McKinney's price becomes too high, Gutekunst may look elsewhere.