​Safety Xavier McKinney has developed into a standout contributor for the Green Bay Packers, furthering his reputation as a premier defensive back after joining the team as a free agent ahead of the 2024 season. Since arriving in Green Bay, McKinney has achieved back-to-back All-Pro recognition and consecutive appearances on the NFL Top 100 Players list, marking him as one of the league’s most accomplished players at his position. In the 2026 NFL Top 100, he earned the No. 70 spot, continuing his momentum from the previous year, and he stood out as the third Packers player on the ranking, joining running back Josh Jacobs at No. 74 and quarterback Jordan Love at No. 72.
In the 2025 season, McKinney was a cornerstone of the Packers’ defense, taking the field for all 1,053 defensive snaps. He recorded two interceptions and eight passes defended, along with 107 tackles, a forced fumble, and a sack. His performance also featured a remarkably efficient passer rating against him, allowing just 63.9 when targeted, and he missed only five total tackles over the season. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the seventh-best safety overall, a testament to his high level of play across the field.
Although McKinney’s interception total dipped from eight in 2024 to two in 2025, his coverage was elite, particularly in an era where consistent, high-quality play in coverage is highly valued. His Pro stat highlighted his dominance in pass defense, as he allowed an average of only 0.3 yards per coverage snap in 2025—the lowest figure among defenders with at least 300 coverage snaps. Across nine games, he yielded fewer than 10 yards in coverage, underscoring his ability to lock down opponents when tasked with pass coverage duties.
The drop in his standing on the NFL Top 100 list from 30th in 2025 to 70th in 2026 reflects the highly variable nature of such rankings, which can be influenced by the quantity of splash plays and visibility from season to season. Despite the year-over-year fluctuation, McKinney’s continued production and elite proficiency in coverage highlight his value to Green Bay and his status as one of the top safeties in the league today.
This recap of McKinney’s achievements and performance for the Packers is compiled from recent season highlights and league assessments, illustrating how his blend of coverage acumen, run defense, and game-changing plays has solidified his role as a cornerstone of the Packers’ defense. The broader narrative remains that McKinney’s impact extends beyond traditional stats, as his coverage efficiency and consistency have made him a reliable anchor in Green Bay’s secondary.