Xavier McKinney’s postgame frustration has cost him $25,000, but the Packers safety isn’t backing off the message he sent after Green Bay’s loss to Detroit.
The NFL fined McKinney for publicly criticizing officials after the Packers’ 20-17 defeat to the Lions, and he confirmed the punishment after Thursday night’s 27-19 win over the Carolina Panthers. McKinney said the fine wasn’t going to change how he felt about speaking out for his teammates.
“I make enough money so I’ll be OK,” McKinney said.
His comments came after a Week 7 game in Detroit that featured several calls Green Bay took issue with. The Packers were flagged eight times for 81 yards, with two roughing-the-passer penalties and an unnecessary roughness call on defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt among the most notable.
That Wyatt penalty came after a sequence involving Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
The NFL officially fined Packers safety Xavier McKinney $25,000 for his post-game criticism of officials after Green Bay’s loss in Detroit. https://t.co/tyD9J6plXF
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 31, 2026
St. Brown appeared to go down after a short catch, then got back up before Wyatt tackled him again.
Officials threw the flag, moved Detroit to a first down near the goal line and, two plays later, Jared Goff hit Jameson Williams for a touchdown.
McKinney didn’t hide how he felt after the game, and he made his stance clear when asked about the officiating.
“I don’t think it’s great officiating, if I’m being completely honest. I think it’s bullshit a lot of the times,” he said.
The league’s rules permit discipline for players who publicly go after officials, and McKinney has now been hit under that policy. Even with the fine on the books, he has shown little interest in walking back what he said.
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