The 'Pay That Man His Money' Episode: Giants' Xavier McKinney joins Talkin' Ball with Pat Leonard

Giants captain and safety Xavier McKinney joins Episode 92 of Talkin’ Ball with Pat Leonard to stress his love for the Giants, the appeal of playing in New York “with the same team for my entire career,” his desire to be paid like a top-5 safety (because he played like one), his “really good” relationship with Wink Martindale and his belief in Saquon Barkley as a franchise-changing running back who "deserves to be paid" and "can turn around a whole organization." McKinney also speaks on his recent social media posts, his love of fashion, his thoughts on outside free agent suitors, the transition tag, Kayvon Thibodeaux’s recent comments about Barkley and Daniel Jones, new DC Shane Bowen and more in his first extensive comments since the end of the Giants’ 2023 season. 0:07 - Introduction 1:05 - Milan trip and a passion for fashion 5:20 - Is McKinney feeling the love from the Giants after recent conversations with GM Joe Schoen? 6:20 - How McKinney’s Hall of Fame goals align with the Giants, and why McKinney prefers to power through the storm 8:30 - On learning under Nick Saban and Alabama’s staff in college, and on practicing hard every day no matter what 10:10 - What McKinney meant with his recent social media posts 12:45 - On McKinney’s communication with Martindale after his resignation and appreciation for his former defensive coordinator 16:45 - On his meeting with Bowen 18:00 - Why McKinney wants to be paid, and deserves to be paid, like a top-five safety. And more on the appeal of staying with the same team for his whole career 20:25 - On the possibility of playing for an outside suitor like the Green Bay Packers and being coveted by other teams and fan bases 23:00 - What McKinney thinks about the possibility of the Giants using the transition tag on him to preserve the right to match any free agent offer 25:45 What McKinney thinks of Thibodeaux’s comments about teammates’ contracts, and why Barkley deserves to be paid 29:00 How McKinney became the captain to break the Giants down pregame on Sundays, why he does it and why players respond to it 31:15 - Another Saquon shoutout. SUBSCRIBE to the @PLonNFL CZcams page to get the latest Giants updates and news delivered directly to you, and to participate in regular LIVE Q&A chats with Pat. Purchase a Super Chat or Super Sticker to have your comments elevated to the top of the feed and have Pat answer your question FIRST! Listen to the audio of this podcast on Apple, Spotify or wherever else you get your podcasts if you miss the live chat. Find Pat also on ‘X’ (@PLeonardNYDN), Instagram (@PLonNFL) and TikTok (@PLonNFL). ‪@Bleav‬ ‪@BetOnlineag_ag‬ ‪@drinkestate98‬ #nfl #giants #nyg #nygiants #live #football #sports #xaviermckinney #joeschoen #nfldraft #freeagency #saquonbarkley #briandaboll

[@christianh7981]

Make this man a Giant for life! 🏈📈

[@tuttoazzurri1]

“Excitement starts the race, but discipline carries you to the finish line!”👋🏻🇮🇹

[@JohnMoog-ug6bk]

I’m impressed, he’s articulate & professional - he should do more of this & less tweeting. I hope the Giants can make a deal at the right price point - I’d hate to lose him & see him make Pro Bowl elsewhere. Could the transition tag affect X’s marketability?

[@tuttoazzurri1]

big boss pat, Great interviews as always, awesome giants content as always mate….👍🏻🇮🇹

[@mikiegood]

X is the man. Great interview Pat

[@jerroldabrom3046]

Awesome interview Pat!

[@tyquanlewis6194]

Giants pay X his money 💪🏿💯💪🏿

[@a-train9882]

Keeping Mckinney should be the priority! #NYG

[@danbigblue7422]

Pay this MAN

[@03treefitty]

And pay him green bay did. Cant wait. Pumped

[@CaliNYGiantsfan]

This interview made me like McKinney so much. He is a cool guy and very impressive. I really hope we resign him.

[@kandyman2705]

No reason not to sign him. Cap went up. We can’t afford to loose our talent. There is number that both can agree on. Just find it and move on.

[@ivanjrist]

Pay that man!!!

[@MalMvp7]

X is our Antrell Rolle of this generation we can't let that leadership leave the building

[@markymark616]

great interview, pat. however i really think this man played himself into a big contract and out of NY (rightfully so). hope im wrong!

[@football-ig8bx]

Sign Xavier

[@dannyduds1058]

Pay this man!!!
Giants better not mess around... They already made a mistake paying bum Dan Jones over Saquon

[@legendkochis9909]

🤡

[@BrettM765]

nXy

[@harleysmith3479]

WHEN HE HAD HIS ATV WRECK THE GIANTS PAID HIM WHEN THEY DIDN'T HAVE TOO THEY TOOK CARE OF HIM

[@sapgooey]

💚💛💚🧀🏈🧀

[@conormcginnity1353]

🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀🧀

[@zay4037]

I respect you Pat but these questions weren’t good. Seemed like a bunch of set up questions for clicks

[@jeffsmith2022]

Don't care very much for Pat Leonard, too much BS from him...