GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBAY) – The Packers introduced free agent signings RB Josh Jacobs and S Xavier McKinney to Green Bay on Friday morning.
They teamed up at the University of Alabama, helping lead the Crimson Tide to a national championship in 2017. Back then, the two thought it would be the last time they would be teammates.
“I’m glad that we’re back on the same team though, I can tell you that,” McKinney said. “He’s a special back, somebody that I’m really good friends with. He’s a great teammate, a guy that plays really hard, makes a lot of plays. It’s gonna be fun to be back on the field with him and practicing against him.”
With me knowing him for so long, over the years, we still talk all the time,” Jacobs said. “For me to be able to come here with him, we was talking about it last night when we were sitting down eating. I was like man, this is special. I don’t think it’s really hit me yet being here and everything like that, but I think it’s going to be fun.”
McKinney recorded 3 interceptions and 1 forced fumble last season as a member of the Giants. He represents a natural fit in Jeff Hafley’s defense, where he described the “perfect” post safety as a player able to “erase things” McKinney hopes to help that fill role, but he expects to be used in a multitude of other ways as well.
“That’s the plan, I can not wait,” McKinney said. “That’s something that I’ve always wanted to do, just play everywhere, do different things throughout the game. I don’t think any player is perfect, but I will tell you that I’m striving for that. Everyday I go out for practice it’s gonna be everything that I’ve got, 100%, and same way for the game.”
Jacobs is coming off of his worst season in the NFL, averaging just 3.5 yards per carry in his final season with the Raiders. He hopes to get closer to his performance in 2022, when he led the NFL with 1,653 rushing yards. His early impression on Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has him encouraged.
“I honestly didn’t think he was gonna be as cool as he is,” Jacobs said. “:Head coaches are sometimes a little, you know, but he’s been cool so far. We’ve already been talking ball. I was telling him I wanna catch it a little more. I feel like I didn’t get to show that as much as I’d like. I think it just fits me. I can’t wait to get in and feel it out and see where I fit in, but also try to leave my mark on it too.”
Each had their own reasons for signing with the Packers, but they shared a desire to play with a talented young quarterback after dealing with rocky situations under center at their previous stops. Both are encouraged with what they have seen from Jordan Love, making the Packers a more desirable landing spot.
“It’s a competitive league and you need an elite quarterback in order to have a chance, and I believe that he is an elite quarterback,” McKinney said. “I’ve played against him and watched him play, and I think he’s really good. The sky is the limit for him. I know he’s a great leader. I’ve heard great things about him.”
“I’ve seen him make some throws, I’m like, a lot of people can’t do that,” Jacobs said. “Running backwards on one foot, slinging it on a dime. That kind of got me excited when I just started thinking about it from watching film. It’s fun to be able to have something stable and know what you’re gonna get from a guy week in and week out.”
