Xavier McKinney Reveals 'Next Step' for Packers' Defense 1 Safety Xavier McKinney (29) intercepts a pass against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, January 5, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Bears won the game, 24-22, on a 51-yard field goal as time expired.Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

Xavier McKinney Reveals ‘Next Step’ for Packers’ Defense

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Matt Lombardo | Last updated Jun 30, 2025 3:58 PM ET

The Green Bay Packers ‘ defense made major strides in 2025, coinciding with first-year coordintor Jeff Hafley and free agent safety Xavier McKinney’s arrival.

McKinney, 26, became an All-Pro for the first time in his career, and aims to build on that success in 2025 in hopes of lifting the defense to new heights in his second season in Green Bay.

How Xavier McKinney Says the Packers’ Defense Can Get Better

During the NFL Draft, the Green Bay prioritized continuing to surround young quarterback Jordan Love with weapons, but one year removed from his arrival heralding a new era in the secondary, McKinney belives Hafley’s unit can be even better this upcoming season.

“We’re trying to be a defense that always creates turnovers,” McKinney told the team’s official website.

To that end, Green Bay finished third in takeaways last season, with 16, as McKinney chipped in a career-high eight interceptions, with one fumble recovery.

However, beyond creating turnovers, McKinney says he’s on a mission to disrupt opposing offenses and wreak havoc throughout 2025.

“We want to be a defense that plays with a level of intensity to where,” McKinney said. “The offense can’t match us. I think that’s the next level for us. It’s going to be fun. I think it’ll be more fun than we had last year.”

For McKinney and his teammates on defense, the difference between an early-round exit and a deep playoff run might be finally overcoming teams like the Detroit Lions, who swept Green Bay in the regular season, and the Eagles who toppled the Packers twice on the way to winning a Super Bowl, including in the NFC Wild Card round.

Packers Emerging Superstar Ranked 3rd at His Position Across the NFL 2 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

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

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