Report: Packers Good Move: Player Receives Top Honours
When the Green Bay Packers signed safety Xavier McKinney to a four-year, $67 million contract in free agency back in March, there were people questioning the value and how much the Packers paid to a non-premium position player.
Well, those questions are long gone. In October, McKinney was a big part of the Packers’ winning streak, and he has been nationally recognized by that. On Thursday, the NFL announced the players of the month, and McKinney was named the NFC Defensive Player of October.
The safety had 19 tackles, two interceptions, three passes defensed, a sack and fumble recovery during the month, and the Packers won all four games, beating the Los Angeles Rams, Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars.
He’s the first Packers player to win NFC Defensive Player of the Month honors since linebacker De’Vondre Campbell in October 2021.
Xavier McKinney is the only Packers player to be on the field for all 511 defensive snaps this year. He has had 36 tackles, seven passes defensed, six interceptions, one sack and one forced fumble.
All-Pro on the way
If Xavier McKinney keeps playing at such a high level, he is certainly on pace to be an All-Pro player. The Packers haven’t had a defensive All-Pro since 2022, when cornerback Jaire Alexander was named to the second team.
AFC
- Offense: QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
- Defense: DE Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans
- Special teams: K Chris Boswell, Pittsburgh Steelers
NFC
- Offense: QB Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
- Defense: S Xavier McKinney, Green Bay Packers
- Special teams: K Chad Ryland, Arizona Cardinals
Rookies of the month:
- Offense: QB Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
- Defense: CB Beanie Bishop Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers
