The New York Giants are in rough shape. Sitting at a dismal 2-7, the season has been a series of letdowns.
As fans watch their team struggle to string together wins, it’s impossible not to notice the void left by the team’s top playmakers who departed last offseason. Decisions made by GM Joe Schoen have come back to haunt the Giants, none more glaring than the free-agent losses of Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney. Both are shining elsewhere, amplifying the team’s lack of star power.
While Saquon Barkley now leads the Eagles’ offense with his trademark explosiveness, turning out highlight-reel plays that could have ignited the Giants' offense, it’s Xavier McKinney’s absence that’s proving especially costly.
Green Bay recognized the value Schoen overlooked, signing McKinney to a four-year, $68 million deal, and the young safety has wasted no time making his mark. With McKinney’s game-changing presence anchoring the Packers’ defense, his value to a playoff-bound team is undeniable.
Now, as if to twist the knife, ESPN’s Matt Bowen has predicted that McKinney could walk away with the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award this season.
“McKinney has been a difference-maker for Green Bay, using his range and ball skills to grab six interceptions, which is tied with Detroit's Kerby Joseph for the most in the league. In Jeff Hafley's defensive system, McKinney will have more opportunities to make game-changing plays for a team that should make the playoffs. The Packers hit a home run when they signed McKinney this past offseason, upgrading their safety group.” - Matt Bowen
The Green Bay Packers Stole Potential DPOY Xavier McKinney from the Giants
McKinney has been a standout since joining Green Bay. In just nine games, he’s already hit a career-high with six interceptions, showing off the same range and ball skills that once made him a key player for the Giants. Under Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, McKinney has thrived in a system that uses his versatility.
His standout play has lifted the Packers' defense to a playoff-ready level, whether he’s deep in coverage or closer to the line. His impact has been a major factor in Green Bay’s success this season.
Xavier McKinney this season:
— PFF (@PFF) October 27, 2024
🔒 6 interceptions
🔒 3 receptions allowedpic.twitter.com/kEVOcfEsvJ
For the Giants, prioritizing other positions over McKinney’s extension is painfully apparent on the field. With Deonte Banks struggling against top wide receivers and the safety play inconsistent, the lack of a veteran presence in the secondary is glaring.
The Giants lost a talented defender, leader, and stabilizing force they now desperately need.
Schoen’s decision to invest heavily in pass rusher Brian Burns, with a $141 million contract, now looks questionable. Burns has yet to make a comparable impact, and the Giants’ defensive struggles persist. Meanwhile, McKinney’s performance in Green Bay highlights exactly what the Giants are missing: a game-changing playmaker capable of turning close contests in their favor.
Looking back, the Giants’ decision not to retain McKinney is emblematic of a front office struggling to make the right calls in crucial moments.
As McKinney builds his case for Defensive Player of the Year honors in Green Bay, Giants fans are left with a sobering question: How many more costly decisions can this team afford before real change is demanded?