Green Bay Packers Fans Take Issue With Xavier McKinney Announcement 1 Jan 12, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney (29) before action against the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC wild card game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Packers coach crowns player as best in the NFL: ‘Big red circle around him’

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Sep 19, 2025 4:22 AM ET

The Green Bay Packers’ defense is gaining more attention these days than it had in previous seasons, thanks in large part to the addition of superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons to the team’s stop unit.

But Parsons is also hardly the only huge talent on Green Bay’s defense. Take for example safety Xavier McKinney, who had an incredible first season with the Packers. In 2024, the former Alabama Crimson Tide star defensive back racked up eight turnovers.

Although he still has to record an interception in 2025, McKinney’s presence downfield has forced the Detroit Lions and the Washington Commanders in the previous two weeks to play a bit more conservatively in the passing attack, according to Green Bay defensive coordinator Heff Hafley.

Packers’ Hafley calls McKinney the best in the NFL

While speaking to the media on Thursday, Hafley, who is in his second year with the Packers as the team’s defensive coordinator, gave McKinney his flowers.

Via Matt Schneidman of The Athletic:

Jeff Hafley on Xavier McKinney’s impact, calls him the best safety in the NFL while noting teams haven’t really tested him deep: “There’s probably a big red circle drawn around him.”

McKinney will continue to be a prominent figure in Green Bay’s defense that is about to test the Cleveland Browns this coming Sunday, when the Packers play their first road game of the 2025 NFL season.

As a team, Green Bay is allowing just 189.5 passing yards per game this season and just 5.2 yards per passing attempt — the best in the league overall.

Packers coach crowns player as best in the NFL: ‘Big red circle around him’ 2 Green Bay safeties Evan Williams (33) and McKinney (29) celebrate after defensive end Lukas Van Ness tackles Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (0) on Sunday, September 7, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 27-13.Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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