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The New York Giants had a tumultuous offseason that culminated in the loss of running back Saquon Barkley, but he wasn’t the only star the team lost in free agency.
Although Barkley commanded the most attention, the Giants also allowed safety Xavier McKinney to walk.
Like Barkley, McKinney went on to have a career year. He was named to his first Pro Bowl and received First Team All-Pro honors after finishing second in the NFL in interceptions (8).
McKinney is understandably happy in his new home but not just because of the success. During a recent sit-down with Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team, the safety acknowledged that he felt unwanted by the Giants throughout his final season in blue.
“I could tell they didn’t really want me there,” McKinney said. “I kind of knew that but for me, it was like I’ve still got to play well and I still have got to do the best I can for this team right now. I was still with the team and I was still all in but I could kind of tell the direction they were going.”
Asked about the departure of players such as himself, Barkley, Leonard Williams, and Julian Love, McKinney stopped short of criticizing general Joe Schoen or head coach Brian Daboll.
“That’s my old team,” he said. “They go about their business a certain way and they feel like how they do things is the right way. Ultimately, that’s how they feel.
“I can’t do anything but respect it and wish them the best of luck. That’s really all I can do.”
The Giants, of course, have had no luck. While so many of their former players excel for other teams, they continue to flounder at the bottom of the NFL.