Xavier McKinney sends message to incoming Packers rookies

Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney has a message for the rookie class as the team gets ready for the 2024 season. In a Total Packers video, McKinney revealed what he hopes for the rookies this upcoming season.

“Let’s work. Put it all out there. Be all in on what we’re trying to get accomplished as a team, ” McKinney said. “Let’s all push in the same direction. It’s going to be a hell of a year, it’s going to be a special year, I can feel it. Everybody’s here at OTAs, so that’s a really good sign.

“Don’t worry too much of the outside noise. We got to worry about what we have in this building and hold each other accountable and always compete and the rest will take care of itself.”

The 2024 Packers draft class includes offensive lineman Jordan Morgan, linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, safety Javon Bullard, running back MarShawn Lloyd, linebacker Ty’Ron Hopper, safety Evan Williams, offensive lineman Jacob Monk, safety Kitan Oladapo, offensive lineman Travis Glover, quarterback Michael Pratt and cornerback Kalen King. Last month, the rookies participated in their first minicamp and the nerves were there for the group.

“I would definitely say the nervousness level was very high last night and this morning,” Pratt said at the time, per the Packers’ official website. “But just getting out there and going through the walk-through we had, spitting out the plays, getting lined up, seeing it, getting mental reps, definitely helped me calm down, take a deep breath. Now I’m excited for practice.”

Why the Packers signed Xavier McKinney

McKinney signed a four-year, $68 million contract with the Packers in March after spending his first four seasons with the New York Giants. During his time in New York, McKinnety recorded nine interceptions and 27 passes defended in 49 games.

“You rely on the safety for so many things,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said during the NFL’s annual meeting in April, per AL.com. “First of all, just the communication in the back end is absolutely critical, making sure we get all 11 on the same page. And that’s usually the last line of defense. You get past the safety, there’s nobody left.

“And I love just his ability to make plays on the ball. You’ve seen it over the course of his career, but in particular, the two plays that stick out to me were in the Philly game where he makes an unbelievable interception on the sidelines, and then the very next (Eagles) play, they try to run a screen and he dissects the screen and jumps in front, picks off the ball — like back-to-back plays, two interceptions. Anytime you have a guy that can take the ball away, that’s what you’re looking for in all your players, especially on the defensive side of the ball.”