Xavier McKinney will surely be extra juiced up on Sunday.
It’s not only a must win game for the Packers coming off back-to-back one-score losses to the Eagles and Panthers, but it also marks the young safety’s first time back in New York since leaving the Giants in free agency.
McKinney spent the first four seasons of his pro career with Big Blue after they selected him out of Alabama in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
He quickly established himself as one of the leaders and playmakers for Big Blue’s defense, serving as a captain and forcing 11 turnovers (nine INTs, two fumbles) over the years.
GM Joe Schoen decided to let the 27-year-old walk in free agency last offseason, though, and he ultimately landed with Green Bay on a big money four-year contract.
McKinney took a few moments to reflect on his time in the Big Apple ahead of the meeting.
“It taught me a lot,” he told Matt Schneidman of the Athletic. “Just a lot of different lessons that I learned throughout my time there helped build me into the kind of player -- it wasn’t always easy, a lot of ups and downs, difficult times.
“I went through some life-changing moments while I was in New York, so those are times I definitely won’t ever forget, but it molded me into the player I am today and I’m grateful for that time that I spent there with them.”
With the Packers, McKinney has become one of the premier safeties in all of football.
He enjoyed a tremendous breakout campaign last season in which he logged his first career Pro Bowl appearance, earned First Team All-Pro honors, and finished eighth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
He’s been able to carry that success and consistency over to this year so far, playing all of Green Bay's defensive snaps over their first nine games of the season.
And he’ll be looking to put together another strong effort back against his old teammates.
“I just try to go out there and play a good game regardless of who I’m playing,” he said. “I’m trying to go out there and be productive and be the player that I know I am -- it’ll be fun to be back and to get to see a lot of familiar faces.
“This is my first time playing there since I’ve been gone so I’m definitely gonna be juiced up, but it’s all out of good intentions and I'm just looking to go out there and have a good game.”