Using that same metric, McKinney represents a significant upgrade over the man he replaces, Darnell Savage, who agreed to a three-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday. According to PFF, McKinney had the highest coverage grade (91.2) of all NFL safeties in 2023, surpassing players like Atlanta's Jessie Bates, Miami's Jevon Holland and Baltimore's Kyle Hamilton. He was also substantially better than Savage, who finished with a 61.7 grade in 10 games played.
McKinney is capable of handling both passing and running duties, finishing seventh among all defensive backs in tackles with 116. In 2023, he finished as one of four defensive backs with 115+ tackles and 10+ passes defended, which gave the Packers a complete safety and another notable name in a backfield that also includes Jaire Alexander.
Green Bay is working with the luxury of having enough money to spend in 2024, thanks in large part to the rapid development of Jordan Love in his first year as a starter while playing under a contract that represents just $12.7 million in cap space this season. Gutekunst is wasting no time improving the roster of a team that many will expect to compete for the NFC North title and perhaps more in 2024.
McKinney's signing adds to the Packers' busy afternoon on the first day of the 2024 negotiating period, including the signing of running back Josh Jacobs, who will replace the soon-to-be-released Aaron Jones.
