Xavier McKinney added two highlight-reel interceptions to his resume and likely added millions of dollars to his upcoming free agent salary.
In what could have been his last game with the Giants, the same reality overshadowed longtime teammates Saquon Barkley and Sterling Shepard, as free agent-to-be McKinney continued his defensive streak. He intercepted two different quarterbacks. They won 27-10 against the Eagles on Sunday.
“Pay the guy,” said Barkley, another pending free agent.
McKinney's athleticism was also on display when he covered a wide area from center field to the sideline on Jalen Hurts' high-point pass, and when he tapped both feet as he fell wide of the frame.
His instincts and versatility were on display as he lined up in slot coverage, read blocks, set up screens, and broke the ball to take Marcus Mariota's pass from Ques Watkins without stepping back.
“I like the first one,” said McKinney, who has nine career interceptions. “I'm not going to lie, the first one was crazy. I didn't realize I caught it until I saw it. [on replay]”
What's next for McKinney?
Cornerback Adoree' Jackson joined Barkley in the winning locker room and said, “Pay that guy.”
“I definitely agree,” McKinney said with a laugh. “But we’ll have to wait and see what happens.”
McKinney, who earned $8.4 million over four years as a second-round pick, previously told the Post that “money doesn't mean much to me,” especially when compared to his career goal of being in the Hall of Fame and “being remembered as… told. It's one of the best works ever. ”
“I don’t think I’ve scratched the surface of who I am as a player,” McKinney said. “I think I could have gotten better in different areas this year. The best is yet to come for me.”
McKinney entered Week 18 with the 11th-best grade among NFL safeties according to Pro Football Focus, and that number is only going to increase.
He and teammate Bobby Okereke are the only players in the NFL to play all of their team's defensive snaps this season.
Does he want to continue playing for the Giants?
“I can tell you that,” McKinney said. “But I can't control anything. It's a business.”
All of the top 10 safeties in the NFL have multi-year contracts that pay them an average of at least $13 million per year.
The only hurdle for McKinney to test his market value is that, like Barkley last offseason, the Giants placed him on the franchise tag (a one-year contract worth an estimated $17.2 million per overthecap.com) before he became a free agent. I wonder if I'll decide to add one.
Asked for his reaction to that undesirable possibility, McKinney said, “No comment.”
McKinney praised the Giants for persevering through difficult times, including missing nine games last season due to an ATV accident.
“I was just trying to be here for the team,” McKinney said. “I'm so grateful to this organization. I've been through a lot with them and they just couldn't get away from me. The least I can do is go out and play games. , to play hard every game for them. I just want to win at the end of the day — that's what I want people to know about who I am.”
