It's almost fall, and that means the Green Bay Packers will soon dominate discussions all over the state of Wisconsin.
After a late-season surge in 2023, the Packers hope to be among the top contenders in the National Football League in 2024. They have their franchise quarterback in Jordan Love, and they hope the supporting cast around him is enough to cash in another Super Bowl ring.
When a title window is open, teams have to spend wisely. And the Packers spent their offseason retooling the roster with an open wallet in hopes of maximizing that window.
Though they invested heavily in Love this summer, inking him to a $220 million extension, they also spent $67 million on safety Xavier McKinney, formerly a standout with the New York Giants. That contract raised some eyebrows, earning them the ire of at least one news outlet.
On Thursday, McKinney was named to Bleacher Report's NFL "All-Overpaid Team" by Ryan Fowler. He was designated the "runner-up" at the safety position behind Justin Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs.
"The prized free agent of Green Bay's 2024 offseason, Xavier McKinney enters the fall with an immense amount of expectations," Fowler said. "His ability to remain healthy (played just six games in his rookie season and nine in 2022) will hold the key to him proving why GM Brian Gutekunst is paying him so handsomely."
The Packers are counting on McKinney, 26, to not only stay healthy, but anchor a safety group that also includes a pair of rookies. Green Bay took Javon Bullard from Georgia in the second round of this year's draft, then Evan Williams from Oregon in the fourth.
With a $16.8 million annual salary, McKinney will be the league's fourth-highest-paid safety in the NFL this season. He has certainly showcased the talent to warrant that deal, with nine career interceptions in 49 games, but he'll have to live up to that billing on the field.
Regardless of whether he's considered "overpaid" or not by the general football groupthink, McKinney can be a massive asset to the Packers' defense if he's healthy. The championship window is open, but it will take strong contributions from top defenders like McKinney to cash in a title.
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