The Packers largest concern for this upcoming season in my eyes centers around the cornerback position battle. I do believe at some point that Brandon Cisse and Benjamin St. Juste will be the starters on the outside.
Regardless of how that first line of defense in the passing game shakes out, one thing is perfectly clear.
There is zero concerns when it comes to the Safety room at 1265 Lombardi. Here’s why Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams are not only obvious roster locks, but arguably the best tandem in the NFL.
Purely By The Numbers
Two seasons into their partnership, Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams have evolved from one of the NFL’s most intriguing young safety tandems into a legitimate case for the league’s best. McKinney followed up his First-Team All-Pro debut season in Green Bay by once again anchoring the secondary in 2025, finishing with more than 100 tackles, 2 interceptions and another season of elite coverage that saw quarterbacks largely avoid testing him deep. Williams took an even bigger leap, recording 100 tackles and 3 interceptions while emerging as one of the league’s most dependable all-around safeties. Since Williams entered the starting lineup in Week 5 of his rookie season, the pair has combined for 14 interceptions, well over 230 tackles and consistently ranked among the NFL’s most productive safety duos.
Even the inferior team to south’s coach had to give them their flowers, which I think speaks volumes to the respect they have around the league.
I understand that by a pure numbers perspective, Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch of the Lions are takeaway machines. I can’t dispute that, however, the tandem of McKinney and Evans is a more complete pairing. McKinney remains the superior centerfielder and coverage safety, while Williams has rapidly developed into one of the NFL’s most instinctive downhill defenders, giving the Packers two players capable of impacting every phase of the game.
Unmistakable Chemistry
You can have all the talent in the world on the field together, but sometimes raw talent doesn’t translate to production. This is exactly what separates McKinney and Williams from every other tandem. They have a clear natural chemistry and understanding of each other. It reminds me of the connection between Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams. These are 2 players that play fast and instinctually alonside one another.
Their communication has become one of the strengths of Green Bay’s defense, allowing the Packers to disguise intentions until the snap and keep opposing quarterbacks guessing. It’s no coincidence that Williams’ emergence coincided with McKinney’s arrival. The veteran’s leadership accelerated the young safety’s development. Meanwhile Williams’ reliability has allowed McKinney the freedom to hunt footballs and create game-changing plays. As their chemistry has continued to grow, so too has the confidence of the entire defense behind them.
Check Williams’ locker room presser below from Aug 7, 2024, and listen to how he talks about McKinney. It’s clear he did everything he could to sponge Xavier’s wisdom, and it has paid off spectacularly.
Packers Are Covered On The Deep Threat In 2026
The big question right now is what the iteration of this tandem will look like under Jonathan Gannon’s new aggressive 3-4 defenisve scheme. Gannon has said multiple times that his defense adapts game to game rather than being locked into the 3-4 layout. That being said, his track record reflects a defense that is built around versatility and post-snap disguise. Characteristics that make McKinney and Williams ideal chess pieces for what promises to be one of Green Bay’s most dynamic defenses in years.
Expect McKinney to remain the defense’s roaming playmaker, rotating between single high looks and split-safety concepts designed to bait quarterbacks into costly mistakes. While 2025 didn’t have the massive interception number to match 2024, his lockdown play style kept him in elite status. Here’s an article I put out last year taking a closer look.
Don’t Be Fooled Xavier McKinney Still Dominating The Game
Meanwhile, Williams’ instincts, physicality and ability to stop the run make him a versatile threat. Especially as a tight end matchup spy that the Packers have sorely needed for years as they were consistently being gouged over the middle by opposing tight ends. There’s plenty of interception highlights on this kid, but I think the one below against the Lions really shows his speed and anticipation.
With 2 seasons of chemistry already established and a scheme that values interchangeable safeties capable of wearing multiple hats, don’t be surprised when McKinney and Williams separate themselves from the rest of the league in 2026 and cement their status as the NFL’s gold standard at the position.
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