It seemed inevitable that Xavier McKinney would leave the New York Giants after the amazing 2023 he just played. But the grief of his leaving doesn’t lessen.
The Green Bay Packers have extended a lucrative four-year contract worth $68 million to the excellent safety. Despite their best efforts, the Giants were unable to offer the 24-year-old Alabama safety as much money as the Packers were willing to give him.
He’s not departing the squad on bad terms, though. He wants to express his gratitude to the Giants supporters who have supported him throughout his four years in the league.
Giants Wire’s John Fennelly wrote about McKinney’s message to the fans after his deal with the Packers was confirmed.
“GIANTS nation! Thank you for an incredible 4 years,” McKinney wrote. “Always got a place in my heart for sure.”
Even if Saquon Barkley’s parting speech was more emotional than this one, it’s still clear how much Barkley enjoyed playing in front of the Giants faithful at MetLife Stadium. If he didn’t like performing in front of them, he wouldn’t have had the kind of year he had in 2023.
With free agency almost over, the Giants now only have three safeties on their roster. If they want a player who can at least match the kind of production McKinney put up last year, they will have to work some kind of miracle.
The Giants continued adding to their offensive line on Friday.
Austin Schlottmann is also expected to join the squad, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, shortly after it was announced that they had reached an agreement with former Buccaneers guard Aaron Stinnie. The former Viking has a two-year contract.
This week, the Giants also signed tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and guard Jon Runyan Jr.
As an undrafted free agent in 2018, Schlottmann joined the Broncos and participated in 42 games over his four-year tenure. In 2023, he joined the Vikings and participated in nine games.
Schlottmann will push for a spot on the inside of the Giants line because he made 14 starts over those two stints and has experience at guard and center.