Xavier McKinney was about as stunned as anyone when he was told he would not receive a transition tag. The fourth-year player from Alabama has made a name for himself within the Giants defense, but is now set to test the open waters–unless the Giants can agree to a new deal with the safety.
He will face a highly competitive market, and is the youngest in a group of safeties that had all been released this week.
How did Xavier McKinney get here?
Here is what McKinney told Kay Adams on her podcast this week:
“We’ve had talks, trying to figure something out,” McKinney said.
“I wanted to be back.”
McKinney rounded out his rookie contract in 2023 by posting a season in which he recorded 116 tackles and three interceptions, while also having recovered two fumbles and forced another. In a season where the Giants took a sizable step backwards from 2022, McKinney put in another solid campaign in blue. Not all was well, however, as McKinney found himself sometimes at odds with DC Don “Wink” Martindale.
Like his teammate Saquon Barkley, McKinney will test the open markets after being denied a transition tag. This would have cost the team $13.8 million and a right to match offers he may have received (and will in fact receive, now that he will hit the market). He will have suitors, undeniably, while Joe Schoen will now turn to negotiating to maintain the young rising star and keep him in blue.
What Might it take to retain McKinney?
Analyzing the average salaries for an NFL safety like Xavier McKinney would offer us some hints as to what it will take. At the high end, Chargers star Derwin James raked in over $19 million in salary during the 2023 season, while former Giant Jabrill Peppers fetched $4.5 million for 2023.
For the Giants to retain Xavier McKinney and his services, the Giants should automatically aim to go well above the fourth-year player’s rookie deal, but not as high as James’s, or any of the other top safeties in the league.
But if the Giants cannot maintain McKinney, where else can he go?
Potential Alternate Team #1: Green Bay Packers
The Packers defied all expectations in 2023. The loss of Aaron Rodgers in a trade to the Jets made many believe the team from Wisconsin would not make much noise in 2024. On the contrary, the Packers indeed made significant noise, finishing 9-8 and coming very close to upsetting the top-seeded 49ers in the Divisional round.
A position very much in need for the Packers is Safety. Jonathan Owens and Darnell Savage are not who you would expect to be starting safeties in the NFL. Xavier McKinney, on the other hand, would provide an immediate day one impact to a secondary in need of help in order to challenge in the NFC in 2024.
Potential Alternate Team #2: Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks released two high-caliber safeties of their own this week. While they will pursue new teams, it is equally undeniable that the Seahawks, winners of Super Bowl 48 over a decade ago, may opt to commence a rebuild. To involve McKinney in a possible rebuilding project, while also seeking to get younger, could prove to be a long-term play for the Seahawks.