After a morning in which Giants fans were shocked by the news Saquon Barkley would not receive a second Franchise Tag, the afternoon brought even more bad news.
A Star Player at the safety position, Xavier McKinney was not placed under the expected transition tag, nor was he put on any tag. He will follow Barkley into Free Agency.
What happened?
As the 2023-24 season was drawing to a close, McKinney frequently found himself getting into disputes with Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale. This dispute had deteriorated to the point McKinney openly considered not re-signing at all with the team. Martindale was fired not long after the season had ended, with the fourth-year rising star at his position expecting to stay in blue.
In his four years in blue, the Star Player has proven his worth in the NFL, pocketing nine career interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and 279 career tackles. His one career defensive touchdown occurred in 2021. McKinney had just completed the first season in which he managed to start all seventeen games for the first time in his career.
Giants are not using the franchise or transition tag on S Xavier McKinney, per sources (NFLN first). He now can hit the open market next Wednesday.
McKinney views himself as top 5 safety. Estimates from league sources at combine had him in $14M+ range.
So Saquon + McKinney…
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) March 5, 2024
A Big Offseason Begins In The Weirdest Way
As of late, no Giants coach or General Manager have been able to receive a third season of work. The fact that Daboll and Schoen even got the chance to embark on a third season together would say a good deal about the work both men have engaged in within just two seasons in East Rutherford, but failing to secure a transition tag on McKinney and the inability to secure Barkley for even one more season place their ability into high question.
With these bold moves in mind, some wonder just what Joe Schoen might be preparing for Free Agency and the NFL draft, one in which the Giants possess the sixth overall selection.
Where Might This Star Player Go?
Attention would immediately turn to the Green Bay Packers. The team who defied all expectations in 2023 will only rise further in 2024, and the safety position is one that presents dire need for the Packers. Star players at the safety position are shockingly hard to come by, and if the Giants are to indeed lose McKinney in Free Agency, and Schoen and Daboll cannot correct other pressing issues, the jobs of both men may not be long for this world.
To retain the Georgia born, Alabama alum, nothing short of a small miracle may need to occur in order to do so. There are limited options in the NFL Draft and in Free Agency for who he may be replaced by.