Mandatory Photo Credit: © Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports © Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK / ©Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
GREEN BAY, Wis. – Xavier McKinney is the newest Green Bay Packers safety.
But that hasn’t stopped him from taking ‘shots’ at the New York Giants.
In his introductory press conference on Friday, McKinney said that Jordan Love played a “big factor” in him joining the Packers. “You need an elite quarterback to be able to even have a chance and I believe he is an elite quarterback.”
Maybe because he’s not? Either way, the smile on McKinney’s face says a million words. He’s ecstatic in his new home.
“I don’t think it’s pressure,” McKinney said to Packers beat reporters on Friday in the Lambeau Field locker room. “I’m here to perfect my craft. So, I don’t really feel any pressure ever. I just try to go out there and play my best and compete.
“I’m trying to win, at the end of the day, and I know what that takes to be able to win games and win championships. So, I don’t ever really feel pressure. I know that a lot of these guys in here are super-motivated and are hungry. I’m the same way, so it’s going to be fun. It’s going to be a fun time.”
McKinney was part of a Giants defense that was one of the few to shut down on Love and the Packers late last season, beating them in a December Monday night game. Despite a somewhat rough night for Love, McKinney was impressed with what he saw of Green Bay’s offense in preparing for that game.
“I saw him make some throws a lot of people can’t do. Running backwards on one foot and slinging it on a dime. Just to see the way he throws the ball effortlessly and the grit he plays with, I’m very excited to play with him.”
McKinney is plenty motivated, too, even coming off arguably his best season last year, when he recorded 116 tackles.
“I don’t think any player’s perfect, but I will tell you that I’m striving for that,” McKinney said.
“Every day I go out at practice, it’s going to be everything that I’ve got, 100 percent, and same way for the games. I’m just looking forward to being part of the defense and seeing where I can help and try to make plays and help us to be successful and win.”
After an impressive playoff run and a magnificent off-season, it’s all smiles for the Green Bay Packers heading into the 2024 season. Meanwhile, the Giants are trending in the other direction.
