Giants DC ‘Surprised’ by Xavier McKinney’s Comments Criticizing Coaching Staff

The veteran coach addressed the criticism amid a 2-7 season.

The Giants have had a season to forget so far this year, as New York enters Week 10 with a 2-7 record. Frustration is clearly building within the locker room, as safety Xavier McKinney accused the coaching staff of not listening to team leaders after last week’s loss vs. the Raiders.

“I think that from a leadership standpoint, I don't think they've done a great job of letting the leaders lead, and listening to the leaders and the captains," McKinney said, via ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. "But obviously it sucks losing."

On Thursday, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale addressed McKinney’s comments, and the veteran coach appeared to take them to heart.

“It surprised me because it's the first time it's ever happened in my career that a player would make a statement like that," Martindale said, via Raanan. "I think it was a case of the kid is just frustrated from losing. We spoke. We cleared it up. The example that he gave me of what he was talking about was an in-game adjustment.”

Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale addressed Xavier McKinney's comments criticizing the coaching staff :: Danielle Parhizkaran/USA Today network

While Martindale understands where McKinney is coming from, those comments nevertheless had an impact on the locker room.

“It did [hurt],” Martindale added. “It did because I've always been open, and I’ve always been honest with players. I think if you have a problem, it’s just how we handle things in that room.”

McKinney, one of 10 captains on the team, has been a Giant since New York drafted him out of Alabama in 2020. While the safety was a part of a strong program in college, he has lost 37 total games over the past four years with New York.