Packers' Xavier McKinney gets the ultimate respect, but he’s not happy about it 4 Sep 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney (29) tackles Dallas Cowboys wide receiver KaVontae Turpin (9) during the game between the Dallas Cowboys and the Green Bay Packers at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Packers’ Xavier McKinney gets the ultimate respect, but he’s not happy about it

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Oct 17, 2025 5:10 AM ET

How good has Green Bay Packers safety Xavier McKinney been in the 2025 season? According to Pro Football Focus, McKinney has a 62.4 overall grade, which isn’t exactly an eye-popping number. It’s ranked just 80th among 141 safeties, per PFF. Perhaps another stat could better define his impact on defense. According to Bruce Edmunds, “has been targeted 0 times this season. This indicates that no passes have been thrown his way so far in the current season.” No quarterback has dared to attempt a pass in the direction of a receiver with McKinney near him, and the Packers have already played a total of five games.

Quarterbacks are staying away from McKinney after a standout first season with the Packers

McKinney was a force in Green Bay’s passing attack in 2024, his first season with the team. In 17 games, he collected a career-high eight interceptions to go with 11 passes defended. He has only recorded an interception to date in the 2025 campaign, which came off Joe Flacco in a Green Bay loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 3. The 27-year-old defensive back appears to be missing the challenge of being tested, admitting that it has reached a point where boredom has begun to take hold of him.

Via Ryan Wood of USA TODAY:

A year ago, when Xavier McKinney had INT in 5 straight games, he said it was disrespectful to keep testing him.

Nobody is testing him now. How’s the respect feel?

“It’s cool, but it’s kind of boring.”

The Packers will be facing the Arizona Cardinals on the road this coming Sunday. It will be interesting to see whether Kyler Murray (or Jacoby Brissett) will test McKinney, but either way, Green Bay’s defense will have to be on its toes against an upset-seeking Cards.

Packers' Xavier McKinney gets the ultimate respect, but he’s not happy about it 5 Oct 12, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) is tackled just short of the goal line by McKinney (29) and cornerback Nate Hobbs (21) during the game at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Tork Mason-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

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

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