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Rashan Gary emerges as the true victor in light of Xavier McKinney’s signing.

There was much joy in Green Bay as Xavier McKinney signed his contract at 1265 Lombardi Ave. earlier this month, with Rashan Gary’s delight arguably being the most evident.

The addition of McKinney to bolster Green Bay’s defensive backfield provides a safety net for coverage, allowing the Packers, under new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, to adopt a more aggressive approach and innovate with their pass rush tactics. With more rushers in play, Gary stands to benefit from increased one-on-one matchups against opposing tackles, a scenario where he excels.

Hafley’s defensive strategy typically relies on a single-high safety, a role McKinney is well-suited for, possessing the attributes of a dynamic playmaker in the deep secondary.

McKinney’s arrival is not only welcomed by Hafley but also by Packers passing-game coordinator Derrick Ansley, who played a pivotal role in recruiting McKinney during his time at Alabama.

In high-pressure situations, McKinney’s coverage skills limit the quarterback’s options, giving Hafley the flexibility to unleash unconventional blitz packages, enabling the front seven to apply pressure effectively.

Previously, under Joe Barry’s guidance, the Packers frequently blitzed but with McKinney’s presence, they can now do so with greater confidence in their secondary coverage.

This enhanced defensive setup will afford Gary more favorable opportunities to exploit matchups from the edge, potentially leading to significant defensive plays, a much-needed improvement considering Green Bay’s struggles in forcing turnovers in recent seasons.

Gary’s impressive pass-rushing metrics, highlighted by his elite Pass-Rushing Productivity (PRP) and Pass-Rush Win Rate, underscore his effectiveness as a disruptive force on the field.

While Gary stands to gain the most from McKinney’s addition, other defensive linemen like Lukas Van Ness and Preston Smith will also benefit, as they’ll be better positioned to capitalize on opportunities to pressure the quarterback.

With McKinney’s arrival amplifying Green Bay’s defensive prowess, opposing quarterbacks are in for a daunting challenge, making Gary an even more formidable threat on the field.