Things could have gone way different in free agency for the Green Bay Packers. During his weekly podcast, ESPN's NFL insider Adam Schefter revealed that, back in March, the New York Giants considered putting a franchise tag or transition tag on safety Xavier McKinney.

And a big reason for that was particularly curious. According to Schefter, the Giants feared that McKinney would sign with the NFC East rivals Philadelphia Eagles. Ultimately, it was the other Giants' big-ticket free agent, running back Saquon Barkley, who ended up on the Eagles.

By that time, the Giants could have used a $17.123 million franchise tag to keep McKinney around. If that had happened, he would be essentially out of the market — another team would have the option to make an offer sheet, but the Giants would have the option to match it or receive two first-round picks as compensation.

The more likely option in March was a $13.815 million transition tag. That wouldn't exclude the possibility of another team signing McKinney, because there isn't compensation if the Giants didn't match the offer, the New York would have the option to do so.

Back in 2018, for example, the Packers signed cornerback Kyle Fuller to a four-year, $56 million offer sheet. However, the Chicago Bears had placed a transition tag and matched the offer, keeping the player.

Patriots helped the Packers

At that time, CBS Sports' insider Jonathan Jones reported that the Giants decided not place the transition tag because the New England Patriots had done so with Kyle Dugger. That movement made McKinney more attractive in free agency, and the Giants felt like they wouldn't be willing to match an offer.

By placing a transition tag, the Giants would have had their salary cap provisionally occupied. So if they wouldn't have the intention to match an offer, the tag didn't make sense.

Market

The Packers ended up paying McKinney more than what he was projected to get, with a four-year, $67 million contract. Early in the deal, it already seems like a bargain.

Had the Giants placed a transition tag and matched the offer, it would be extremely difficult for the Packers to find another safety as impactful as McKinney has been.

The better options outside of McKinney were Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, who signed back with the Philadelphia Eagles to a three-year, $27 million deal, or Geno Stone, who went to the Cincinnati Bengals with a two-year, $14 million contract.

Xavier McKinney has been the Packers most valuable defensive player this season. Through 11 games, he has generated seven interceptions, a fumble recovery, nine passes defended, and has allowed a 49.2 passer rating when targeted.

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