Much of the talk around the Giants’ offseason thus far has been on Saquon Barkley: would the team tag the running back? Extend him?
But there’s another question mark: the future of a young player on the other side of the ball who recently completed a successful contract year.
That is safety Xavier McKinney. And, with the two-week franchise tag window now open, the Giants might apply it to either player. Barkley’s tag price would be $12.1 million, while McKinney’s is $16.2 million. The Giants, however, are apparently contemplating another possibility.
According to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, if the Giants and McKinney’s representatives are unable to reach an agreement, New York may apply the transition tag to him. This would cost the Giants $13.9 million, and they have until March 5 to use it.
The transition tag would allow McKinney to negotiate a deal with any other team, and the Giants may match it to keep the 24-year-old. If the Giants do not match, they lose McKinney and will not receive compensation.
McKinney, a second-round draft pick in 2020, was regarded as the NFL’s fourth-best safety in 2023 by Pro Football Focus. In 2022, he missed seven games due to an ATV accident and struggled while healthy, but he recovered this season to establish himself as a crucial member of the Giants’ defense.McKinney, a second-round draft pick in 2020, was regarded as the NFL’s fourth-best safety in 2023 by Pro Football Focus. In 2022, he missed seven games due to an ATV accident and struggled while healthy, but he recovered this season to establish himself as a crucial member of the Giants’ defense.
