Ben Johnson firmly shuts down a widely requested trade idea with a stern message that leaves zero doubt where he stands

The Green Bay Packers kicked off Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season with another big win, as they earned a 27-18 victory over the Washington Commanders on Thursday Night Football. After defeating the Detroit Lions in Week 1, the Packers have already taken down two of the top contenders in the NFC in their first two games of the season.

While Green Bay is enjoying some time off after taking down Washington on a short week, the celebration was disrupted on Saturday afternoon for star safety Xavier McKinney. That’s because he got fined for a taunting penalty he committed in the team’s season-opening victory over the Lions back in Week 1.

Xavier McKinney Fined for Taunting in Packers’ Week 1 Win

A second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, McKinney spent the first four seasons of his career with the New York Giants, where he emerged as a solid safety for them. After the 2023 season, McKinney signed a four-year, $67 million contract with the Packers in free agency, and while the deal seemed a bit rich at the time, McKinney quickly silenced his detractors.

In 2024, McKinney established himself as one of the top safeties in the league. He started all 17 games for Green Bay, racking up 88 tackles, eight interceptions, 11 pass deflections, and one sack during his time on the field. Those big numbers earned him his first Pro Bowl selection and a spot on the All-Pro First Team.

McKinney has picked up right where he left off last season for the Packers, as he has helped shut down the Lions and Commanders in consecutive games. However, against Detroit, McKinney picked up a taunting penalty after he delivered a big block on wide receiver Jameson Williams. After the league reviewed the play, they opted to hand McKinney an $11,593 fine for his actions.

“Packers safety Xavier McKinney was fined $11,593 for unsportsmanlike conduct (taunting) in Week 1 against the Lions,” Rob Demovsky of ESPN shared in a post on X.

Xavier McKinney, Packers Riding High Heading into Week 3

No player wants to get fined, but at the end of the day, McKinney likely won’t be too upset considering how hot a start the Packers have gotten off to in the new season. After pulling off a blockbuster trade with the Dallas Cowboys for superstar linebacker Micah Parsons right before Week 1, expectations for Green Bay rose significantly. Through two games, though, they have proven that the hype surrounding them is real and that they are a top contender in the NFC.

Of course, it is also worth noting that the Packers still have a lot of work to do, as they have only played two games. Sure, they have picked up a pair of big wins, but there is still a lot of football left to be played in the season. Green Bay will get to kick its feet up and enjoy the slate of action across the league on Sunday, but soon enough, it will begin preparing for its upcoming matchup in Week 3 against the Cleveland Browns.