The NFL’s eight-week interception leader was honored with the highest monthly honor. Green Bay Packers linebacker Xavier McKinney, who has six interceptions in eight games, has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for October 2024.
McKinney intercepted two passes, recovered a fumble and had his third pass in four October games – all Packers wins. He intercepted Matthew Stafford on October 6 and Trevor Lawrence on October 27 to bookend the month with takeaways. He also destroyed a Stafford pass and recovered a fumble in Green Bay’s victory over the Los Angeles Rams, a performance that earned him NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
McKinney was fourth among all players in steals in October.
McKinney became the first Packers player to be named the NFC Defensive Player of the Month since linebacker De’Vondre Campbell in October 2021. Campbell was named first-team All-Pro this season. McKinney is on his way to a similar and perhaps even greater honor. Midway through the season, McKinney must be on the shortlist for NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
McKinney, a free agent for the New York Giants, had interceptions in all four September games. According to the NFL, McKinney is just the sixth player since 2000 to throw an interception in six of the team’s first eight games to start the season.
McKinney is the first Packers player to win the NFC Defensive Player of the Month award since Atari Bigby in December 2007.
The NFC Player of the Month pair will face off on Sunday at Lambeau Field. It will be McKinney, the NFC Defensive Player of the Month for October, against Lions quarterback Jared Goff, the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for October. Goff was almost perfect in four games in October. Both the Packers and Lions were undefeated all month.
