GREEN BAY, Wis. — For the 2 years Josh Jacobs and Xavier McKinney performed collectively on the College of Alabama, they’d usually focus on the likelihood that sometime they each could be within the NFL.
However they by no means even entertained the thought of taking part in on the identical workforce on the subsequent stage — not to mention each taking part in for the Inexperienced Bay Packers.
“By no means,” McKinney, the security who performed his first 4 seasons for the New York Giants, mentioned when requested if he ever considered taking part in with Jacobs once more.
In spite of everything, what have been the possibilities?
So the improbability of all of it was not misplaced on them once they arrived at Lambeau Subject final week to signal their huge free agent contracts after agreeing to phrases on Monday.
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“Figuring out him for thus lengthy, even over time, we nonetheless speak on a regular basis,” mentioned Jacobs, the working again who spent his first 5 seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. “For me to have the ability to come right here with him, we have been speaking about it [when arriving in Green Bay], sitting down consuming, it is particular. I do not assume it is actually hit me but, being right here and every little thing like that, however I believe it’ll be enjoyable.”
Neither Jacobs nor McKinney could be right here if the cash wasn’t proper. For Jacobs, it’s a $12.5 million signing bonus on a deal that averages $12 million a yr. For McKinney, it’s a $23 million signing bonus on a deal that averages $16.75 million a yr.
Jacobs mentioned he had greater than 10 groups inquire about his providers, and the Packers needed to outbid the Giants to land McKinney. However as soon as the cash was proper, not solely was the thought of taking part in collectively engaging, however the prospect of being a part of a younger workforce that made the playoffs final season helped.
And there is the Jordan Love issue.
“Clearly, younger quarterback, younger talent guys, good offensive line,” Jacobs mentioned. “So, for a working again, [teams] cannot load the field, and if you do, you continue to received guys that may transfer folks round. I believe that is the factor that sort of excited me essentially the most.
“To have a man so younger and taking part in in addition to he has, and a man that is going to be round for a very long time, it is enjoyable to have one thing steady and know what you are going to get out of a man week in and week out. In order that’s very thrilling for me.”
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Similar for McKinney, who is predicted to be one of many cornerstones of recent coordinator Jeff Hafley’s protection. He known as Love a “large issue” in his resolution to come back to the Packers.
“It is a aggressive league and also you want an elite quarterback to have the ability to also have a probability,” mentioned McKinney, who recovered a Love fumble when the groups met this previous season. “I imagine that he’s an elite quarterback. Clearly, I performed in opposition to him and I watched him play, and I believe he is actually good and the sky is the restrict for him.
“I do know he is a fantastic chief — I’ve heard nice issues about him — so it’ll be actual enjoyable being part of this workforce and having the ability to go to work with these guys day-after-day. It will be a hungry group, I can already inform. We have quite a lot of younger expertise and it’ll be enjoyable.”
Jacobs is the oldest among the many Packers’ offensive talent place gamers, but he’s solely 26. Love is 25. None of his high 4 receivers is older than that. The highest two tight ends, Luke Musgrave and Tucker Kraft, are each underneath 25.
“It is bizarre as a result of I am like, man, I ain’t that previous,” Jacobs mentioned. “However I believe that is dope although as a result of final yr quite a lot of them younger guys at first of the season was nonetheless sort of attempting to determine it out. Or a minimum of that is what it seemed like from the surface wanting in.
“You already know when it begins to click on as a result of for many younger guys it is nearly expertise. Them having that entire yr price of expertise after which coming on this yr, I am excited to see quite a lot of them take that step. I simply hope to be part of that and assist in any method that I can.”
