Packers safety Xavier McKinney scorches DJ Moore

Packers and Bears players have hated each other since Nov. 27, 1921. Green Bay safety Xavier McKinney this week made sure those mutual feelings will continue at least through their 209th meeting on Nov. 17, 2024.

McKinney on Wednesday called out the wide receiver he’ll cover at least a portion of Sunday’s game (1 p.m. ET, FOX) when Green Bay (6-3) makes the short visit to Chicago (4-5). The Packers’ safety criticized Moore for seemingly abandoning his quarterback, Caleb Williams, and walking off the field during a live play in the Bears’ 29-9 loss at Arizona on Nov. 3.

McKinney said he watches every NFL game on Sunday Ticket and noticed Moore taking a hard turn onto his sideline. The safety said the Packers pay attention to body language.

“He’s another one of those guys, same guy, play’s still going on and you walk off the field on your offense,” McKinney said in the Packers’ locker room, courtesy of Matt Schneidman from The Athletic. “You know, you take note of that. Everybody takes note of that and we see it and we’re going to work it accordingly.”

There’s been plenty of dysfunctional body language coming out of Chicago over the last three weeks. The team fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron on Tuesday. But Moore and Williams still figure to see plenty of action. And as for Moore saying he left the field at Arizona because he tweaked his ankle, McKinney called that a lie.

“Cap,” the safety said. “That’s what I say, cap.”

What’s truth is McKinney is tied with Detroit’s Kerby Joseph for the NFL lead with six interceptions. One of the top unrestricted free-agent signings this past offseason, McKinney aims for his fifth straight road game with an interception. He’d love to get it against Moore because after he signed with Green Bay, McKinney said Wednesday that he took note of Moore’s comments on the Up & Adams show with Kay Adams.

Asked whether Moore knows about McKinney now, the Packers safety said he doesn’t care. McKinney certainly knows about Moore.

“This dude walked out on … I’ve been playing (professional) football for five years now and I’ve been watching football for longer than that and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a … You’re supposed to be the guy and you’re just walking off the field? You’re walking off the field on a rookie quarterback that you’ve been praising, so it’s like, that’s a whole other story.”

For more information on the Packers and Bears, visit the Green Bay and Chicago team pages at ProFootballPost.com.