In terms of former NY Giants playmakers early on this season, a ton of the focus is on Saquon Barkley and understandably so. Barkley has been terrific for the Eagles, but he wasn't the only standout who left East Rutherford in free agency. Another massive, massive loss for this team came when Xavier McKinney put the pen to paper with the Green Bay Packers.
McKinney turned into a stud safety for the G-Men, but general manager Joe Schoen decided to prioritize other positions instead of breaking the bank to keep him in the NFC East. McKinney has wasted no time in looking like a superstar for the Packers. In the loss to the Vikings, he posted another interception - he already has four in his first four contests with his new team:
Xavier McKinney has his FOURTH INT in the first FOUR games!
— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024
📺: #MINvsGB on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/LjBauScE2D
Xavier McKinney has looked sensational for the Green Bay Packers
That play from McKinney was a thing of beauty. Sam Darnold, who has been slicing up defenses in 2024, thought he was going to be able to extend Minnsota's lead to 35-7, but McKinney made a play on the ball and posted the fantastic INT for his team. Everything about that play was elite.
Meanwhile for the Giants, the young secondary is leaving a lot to be desired. At cornerback, Deonte Banks can't handle opposing team's WR1, while the safety play has been inconsistent too. Overall, there's simply no veteran leader in the middle of Shane Bowen's defensive backs group, which is another area where McKinney is missed.
The Packers gave McKinney a four-year deal worth $68 million, which the Giants weren't going to come close to. Schoen pulled off the trade for Brian Burns and then gave him $141 million. The NY GM wanted to improve the pass-rush and he took a big risk on Burns, but so far that move isn't paying off.
Hindsight is always 20/20. In a perfect world, McKinney would have been extended before the offseason arrived, but that didn't get done and now he's looking like an All-Pro talent in the NFC North. Fans miss McKinney and they sure don't love seeing him look so electric with a different team.