McKinney eager to add leadership, playmaking to defense
GREEN BAY – The ink had barely dried on Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney’s four-year, $68 million contract before he began talking to defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley about his role.
The Packers paid big money to sign McKinney in free agency and they are going to try to get every penny out of it.
McKinney, talking to reporters in the Packers locker room Friday morning, said he learned a lot about his role talking to Hafley at dinner after taking his physical and signing his contract.
“We talked for a little minute,” McKinney said, “so he seemed like a great guy, and I know we’re going to have a lot of fun together, for sure. We kind of talked about some things yesterday, just as far as play-wise, but I’m just looking forward to being part of the defense and seeing where I can help and trying to make plays and help us to be successful.”
When asked if he and Hafley talked about him playing multiple roles in the defense, McKinney answered with a smile.
“That’s the plan, that’s the plan,” he said. “So, I cannot wait. It’s something obviously that I’ve always wanted to do, just be able to play everywhere and do different things throughout the game. So, I know I’m going be able to do that.”
When asked what he brings to the game, McKinney said:
“Heart, competitiveness and just playmaking ability. Instincts are really high, just making the guys around me a lot better and pushing them, and just trying to try to put on a show, really. That’s my goal, is to go out there and play as best as I can, and be able to help the team and put the team in the best position to be able to win games. So that’s why I’m here. And that’s what I’m here to do.”
McKinney was used as a single deep safety, a blitzer, a box safety and in other roles during his four years with the New York Giants, so he doesn’t think he has to play one position in Hafley’s defense.
“It depends on the game,” he said. “Like, for me, I’m more like, whatever we need for that game, I want to go do. I try not to get too focused on one spot. I never try to box myself in and I think that’s what gives me the ability to be able to play in different spots in the defense and in any scheme and be able to do it at a high level.
“So, that’s kind of how I’ve always been and, it’s just like I said, it’s going to continue to improve and I’m going to continue to learn more and be better in different spots. And I know that coaches are going to help me to get to where I want to be.”
Though he’s just 24 years old and entering his fifth season, McKinney said he’s always tried to take a leadership role.
“I think ever since high school days, and even before, I’ve always kind of been in that position to lead vocally, and (do it) with my play,” he said. “So, I think just being here is going to elevate it a lot more, having the guys and the talent around me to be able to help me and improve.
“But the leadership is still going to be the same. It’s going to be better than what it has already been in the past. And I’m just trying to continue to just keep growing and keep being a better player, better teammate, and that’s really what the goal is.”
Because he gets used in so many different places and comes at ball carriers from different angles, he said he has had to work to be a good tackler. He said it’s an ongoing process.
“I think it’s just how prepared you are,” he said. “I practice hard. When you practice hard, you usually play pretty hard. So, I try to critique myself like a whole bunch. Try to just get better at the small things. I try to perfect my craft and that’s always how I’ve been.
“And, obviously, I don’t go into it like, ‘Oh, I’m not trying to miss a certain amount of tackles,’ I just kind of go out there and play and see where the ball lands. So, that’s kind of just how it is and I try to improve. I’m going to try to improve that number from what it was last year because I think even that six or seven (missed tackles) is too much for safety.
“So, we are going to get that number down for sure.”
The Packers were a game away from the NFC championship and have high expectations going into next season.
Signing McKinney was a priority for the Packers and a lot will be expected of him next season.
But he said he’s not feeling pressure. “I don’t think it’s pressure,” he said. “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. And, like I said, I’m trying to win at the end of the day.
“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 supermotivated, and that they are hungry. And I’m the same way, so it’s going to be fun.”