The Green Bay Packers wanted better safety play and more turnovers in 2024, so general manager Brian Gutekunst signed Xavier McKinney and coach Matt LaFleur hired defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley.
It took all of three plays into the 2024 regular season for the Packers to see the benefit.
McKinney intercepted Philadelphia Eagles safety Jalen Hurts on third down of the defense’s opening series of Friday night’s showdown in Brazil.
Hurts was attempting to throw deep down the seam, but McKinney ranged to his left to make the interception on 3rd-and-15.
Here’s the pick:
XAVIER MCKINNEY. INT in his first game with the @Packers!
📺: #GBvsPHI on Peacock pic.twitter.com/sXbIVV9zMs
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2024
The takeaway set up a field goal from Brayden Narveson to give the Packers a 3-0 lead in the first quarter. It was Narveson’s first career field goal in the NFL.
The Packers had only seven interceptions last season, including zero from safeties during the regular season. Hafley’s defense is designed for disruption and takeaways. So far, so good.
