McKinney embracing leadership role in second year with Packers

GREEN BAY (WLUK) — The Packers secondary could be the most important piece of the puzzle in the quest for another championship. The goal of 43 takeaways is a tall task for a defense that is having one of their best-ever showings at training camp. A defense led by Pro-Bowl safety Xavier McKinney.

“I mean, he’s getting close to mastery,” said safety Evan Williams.

After a stellar first year in Green Bay…the Packers are relying on McKinney to bring the juice in the secondary.

And his teammates are banking on the same.

“It just puts fear in every offensive coordinator’s heart to have a guy like that in the back end,” said Williams. “Especially what he did last year. Just a guy that is able to do everything and do it efficiently.”

“Really just being a leader on and off the field,” said safety Omar Brown. “You see it. It’s not for fake, it’s not for social media, it’s not for the cameras. He does it so we’re just gonna follow him, pretty much.”

A vocal leader, “X” earned All-Pro honors for the first time in his five-year career during his first season in the green and gold. He wants to take it a step further in his second.

“For me, I just try to get better each and every day regardless of [what] the circumstances are, regardless of how I feel,” said McKinney. “I’m always trying to get better and I know to be able to lead them, I have to lead by example I have to do the right things.”

McKinney is a gamechanger. Eight interceptions last year were a career high for a player that’s aging like fine wine. A coach’s favorite and a necessary asset to success.

“He is an extension of the coaching staff out there,” said head coach Matt LaFleur. “I mean he really has a great grasp of what we’re trying to get accomplished he understands the why behind what we’re doing.”

“When he speaks it holds more power,” said Williams. “He’s not just a rah rah guy. When he’s talking people are listening.”

“I think that’s biggest thing for me right now is just trying to help everybody evolve,” said McKinney. “Making our room that much better as the season goes on.”