Huge addition receives award that makes the Packers look really smart

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 […]

Wendell Ferreira — NFL News Writer
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Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney (29) and cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) celebrate an interception against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second quarter at EverBank Stadium.
Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

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.

NFL Players of the Month for October:

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

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