It’s fair to say that the Green Bay Packers‘ Xavier McKinney signing paid immediate dividends in 2024, but the best might still be to come, both for the star safety and the organization.

McKinney, originally chosen by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, inked a four-year contract worth $68 million last March before proceeding to have the most dominant season of his career, en route to becoming a First-Team All-Pro in his first season in coordinator Jeff Hafley’s system.

As the 2025 season approaches, McKinney seems primed to cement his status as one of the premier safeties, and defensive players across the NFL.

Green Bay Packers’ Xavier McKinney Listed Among Top NFL Safeties

Ahead of training camps getting underway in earnest and the 2025 NFL season kicking off, Pro Football Focus analyst Zoltán Buday put together his rankings of the top safeties in the league, with only Baltimore Ravens All-Pro Kyle Hamilton above McKinney.

“McKinney’s first season in Green Bay went superbly,” Buday writes for PFF, ranking McKinney second in the league. “He was among the best safeties in coverage in 2024, with his 90.2 PFF coverage grade ranking second at the position after he recorded eight interceptions — tied for the most among safeties. He allowed a 56.4 passer rating in coverage, the third-best mark at the position.”

Given the outsized impact that strong defensive back play plays in defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s system, and a stellar first season, McKinney figures to potentially even level-up his game this season.

McKinney’s eight interceptions were a career-high, but he also finished with 88 total tackles and one sack in 2024. But, his best football might be ahead of him, in Green Bay.