Green Bay Packers: A Season of Challenges and Growth
A Promising Yet Frustrating Campaign The Green Bay Packers had a rollercoaster 2024 season. Finishing with an 11-6 record, the team showcased moments of brilliance, but the strength of the NFC prevented them from winning the NFC North. In fact, they didn’t even secure second place in the division, ultimately finishing third and settling for the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoff picture. Despite a solid record, the competitiveness of their division proved to be a major obstacle.
Xavier McKinney’s Perspective on the NFC North One of the most significant offseason moves for Green Bay was the acquisition of safety Xavier McKinney, who signed a four-year, $68 million contract after spending his first four seasons with the New York Giants in the NFC East. McKinney quickly adjusted to life in the NFC North and earned his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections.
Reflecting on his transition, McKinney admitted that he had once believed the NFC East was one of the toughest divisions in the league. However, after playing in the NFC North, he realized the level of competition was even more intense.
“You’ve got four teams that are playoff-contending teams, and Super Bowl-contending teams really,” McKinney said on NFL Spotlight. “I think the Bears are going to have a really good team, especially with [offensive coordinator Ben Johnson] now. It’s going to be tough, but we accept the challenge. We can’t wait to compete with these teams every year.”
McKinney’s Immediate Impact Despite the Packers struggling within their division—five of their six losses came against NFC North opponents—McKinney made an immediate impact. He recorded 88 tackles, eight interceptions, 11 passes defended, a fumble recovery, and a sack. His outstanding performance earned him a spot on the All-Pro First Team, solidifying his status as one of the best safeties in the league.
Looking Ahead: The Path to Improvement After a disappointing exit in the Wild Card round against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Packers will be focused on improving their performance against divisional rivals. Their struggles against NFC North opponents highlighted areas that need refinement, particularly on defense and consistency in crucial games.
With McKinney leading the secondary at an elite level, Green Bay has a strong foundation to build upon for the 2025 season. If he continues to perform at an All-Pro caliber, the Packers will have a defensive cornerstone to help them contend for a division title and beyond.
The road ahead is challenging, but the Packers have the talent and determination to rise above their struggles. With strategic adjustments and continued growth, Green Bay could be a serious contender in the coming seasons.
