The Green Bay Packers’ defense was a revelation in 2024, delivering their best EPA per play performance since the Super Bowl-winning squad of 2010. Despite missing star cornerback Jaire Alexander for much of the season and grappling with an inconsistent pass rush, the unit ranked in the top ten for both EPA/pass and EPA/rush while excelling in generating takeaways. They also allowed their second-lowest points per game since 2011, a testament to their resilience and strategic overhaul under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
At the heart of this defensive resurgence was safety Xavier McKinney, the $67 million free-agent signing who proved to be a game-changer for General Manager Brian Gutekunst. McKinney, who inked a four-year, $67 million deal in the 2024 offseason, didn’t just meet expectations—he shattered them. Starting all 17 games, he racked up 88 combined tackles (60 solo), 11 pass deflections, a career-high eight interceptions, and a fumble recovery, earning First-Team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl nod. His eight interceptions alone matched the total output of Green Bay’s entire safety room from the 2022 and 2023 seasons combined.
McKinney’s impact went beyond the stat sheet. He was the glue that held the Packers’ secondary together, providing leadership and stability while mentoring rookies Evan Williams and Javon Bullard. His ability to read plays, disrupt passing lanes, and make game-altering plays in critical moments made him indispensable. As Pro Football Network’s Jacob Infante noted, “Xavier McKinney had been one of the better starting safeties in the NFL during his stint in New York. Once he signed with the Green Bay Packers, though, his play rose to a whole new level.”
Looking ahead to 2025, expectations for McKinney are sky-high. Infante recently named him Green Bay’s Defensive Player of the Year candidate for the upcoming season, predicting that the 27-year-old safety could elevate his game even further. “With eight interceptions and 11 pass deflections, McKinney had elite production in an All-Pro 2024 campaign,” Infante wrote. “He finished eighth in DPOY voting last year, and if he is to rise in the rankings this season, similar production will be necessary.” If McKinney maintains or exceeds his 2024 output, he could be in line for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award—a prospect that has rival offenses trembling.
The Packers’ defense, bolstered by Hafley’s revitalized run defense and McKinney’s playmaking, is poised to take another leap in 2025. With McKinney anchoring a secondary that includes promising young talents like Williams and Bullard, Green Bay has the potential to boast one of the NFL’s elite safety groups. Add in the return of a healthy Jaire Alexander and the continued development of defensive end Rashan Gary—Green Bay’s other 2024 Pro Bowl defender—and the Packers’ defense could evolve from good to downright dominant.
McKinney’s leadership will be critical as Green Bay aims to climb the ranks of the NFL’s defensive elite. His ability to anticipate plays, combined with his versatility to cover, tackle, and force turnovers, makes him a nightmare for opposing offenses. Whether it’s picking off passes in crunch time or mentoring the next generation of Packers defenders, McKinney is the cornerstone of a unit with championship aspirations.
As the 2025 season approaches, the rest of the NFL is on notice: Xavier McKinney is coming for the crown. If his 2024 performance was any indication, the Packers’ $67 million gem is ready to cement his legacy as the league’s most dominant defensive machine—and rivals are already feeling the heat.