The Green Bay Packers made two surprising free agent signings prior to the 2024 NFL season. While Brian Gutekunst and the Packers front office always sign free agent players, it is rare that the organization goes out and gets a big-name player on the open market. This past offseason, they signed two.
Of course, running back Josh Jacobs, formerly of the Las Vegas Raiders, was one of them. Jacobs has proven to be everything Green Bay hoped he would be and more. He is currently third in the NFL with 838 rushing yards, trailing only Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens and Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles. Following his lead, Green Bay also has the fourth-best rushing offense in the NFL, averaging 149.9 yards per game on the ground.
The second big-name player that the Packers signed was safety Xavier McKinney, formerly of the New York Giants. Widely considered the best free agent safety on the market, Green Bay decided adding him along with rookies Javon Bullard and Evan Williams would improve their production at that position.
And they were right.
Former New York Giants Safety Xavier McKinney Is Thriving with the Green Bay Packers
McKinney played four seasons for the Giants and recording a total of nine interceptions in 49 career games with them. His highest interception total for a season came during his second year in the NFL when he recorded five of them.
He had five in his first five games with the Packers.
In 10 games played this season, McKinney already has a career high in interceptions, with six. While he is not taking the ball away at as high of a rate as he was early in the season (quarterbacks try to avoid throwing his way now), the former Giants safety has not allowed a single touchdown to be thrown when he is targeted.
After years of watching Green Bay safeties give up big gains and get lost in coverage, McKinney has been a breath of fresh air. Opposing quarterbacks are only completing 57.1% of their passes and have a quarterback rating of 49.2 when targeting him.
The Green Bay Packers Could Sign New York Giants Edge Rusher Azeez Ojulari in Free Agency
As good as McKinney and the Packers safety room has been this year, their pass rush has left a great deal to be desired. New defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley switched the defense from a 3-4 to a 4-3, which changed the jobs for multiple players on the roster.
As it turns out, Green Bay may not have the personnel that best fit a 4-3 scheme. Preston Smith admitted that he did not play well in Hafley’s system and requested to be traded somewhere he felt more comfortable. The Packers granted his request and traded him to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who run a 3-4 defense.
Without Smith, the Packers pass rush still struggled in their previous win against the Chicago Bears. While sacks are not the end-all-and-be-all stat for pass rushers, Green Bay has totaled just 25 all season, which ranks 17th in the league.
Regardless of how far they go this season, the Packers will look to improve the pass rush next offseason. The scouting department at Bleacher Report believes they should go back to the Giants and sign another one of their young stars, Azeez Ojulari:
“The Packers should look to add another underrated New York Giants defender by targeting Azeez Ojulari. The 24-year-old has been simply fantastic while filling in for Kayvon Thibodeaux (wrist) and has reminded everyone of the upside he flashed as a rookie in 2021—he had eight sacks that season.
“Tough he’s started only five of 10 games in 2024, Ojulari has already tallied six sacks and 28 quarterback pressures.”
In limited playing time this season, Ojulari has six sacks, which would be the most on the Packers roster right now. While he is sure to garner interest from other teams in the NFL, he will not be demanding top dollar.
With their salary cap in a good spot right now, and pass rusher a definite need, it would not be surprised to see the Packers go after another coveted New York free agent.
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