The NFL free agency period kicked off with a flurry of activity this week, bringing fresh opportunities for former Alabama football standouts. Just a year ago, star safety Xavier McKinney signed a lucrative contract with the Green Bay Packers, and he excelled in his debut season with the team.
McKinney had hoped to remain with the New York Giants, the franchise that selected him in the 2020 draft. However, instead of securing his future in New York, GM Joe Schoen allowed both McKinney and Saquon Barkley to depart for new teams. How did that decision pan out?
On Tuesday morning, reports surfaced that Schoen inked veteran safety Jevon Holland to a three-year, $45.3 million deal. A year ago, he was unwilling to invest in McKinney, yet now he’s committing significant money to Holland, who has a history of injuries? The move raises eyebrows, and McKinney himself seems less than pleased with the Giants’ latest decision.
Xavier McKinney appears to have taken a shot at the NY Giants over signing Jevon Holland
In his latest Twitter post, McKinney wrote, “You thought last season was impressive … okay bet, watch this. You ain’t seen (expletive) yet.” Judging by the replies, many NFL fans believe he’s taking a dig at the Giants.
McKinney hasn’t shied away from expressing his feelings about his former team. That didn’t stop him from delivering a stellar performance in the NFC North, where he made Packers GM Brian Gutekunst look like a genius with an unforgettable 2024 season. The standout safety earned Pro Bowl and First-Team All-Pro honors after recording a career-best eight interceptions.
Meanwhile, Holland has totaled just five interceptions over the past four seasons. McKinney is more than happy in Green Bay, but he’s also highly motivated to prove to Schoen that letting him walk was a major mistake.
