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Packers President Ed Policy Accepts NFL Fine on Behalf of Xavier McKinney After Week 1 Taunting Incident vs. Lions

Green Bay, WI – September 13, 2025 — The Green Bay Packers’ 2–0 start added a media twist over the weekend when team president/CEO Ed Policy announced the organization will pay the $11,593 fine the NFL issued to Xavier McKinney for taunting in the Week 1 opener against the Detroit Lions. At the same time, Policy stressed that McKinney should not have been fined because the sequence was triggered by a Lions player’s provocation.

In an official statement, Policy said:
We respect the NFL’s decision and will pay the fine so Xavier can stay fully focused on football. But frankly, he shouldn’t have been fined—the situation began with a Lions player provoking him after a legal block. Passion is good, but the standard remains respect. We have submitted the film and hope the league applies its standard consistently.

The Packers underscored a “passion with respect” message: the club does not endorse taunting, but also won’t let its player take the fall when he was provoked first. According to team sources, McKinney has taken responsibility in the locker room, and the coaching staff views the moment as a teachable scenario for the entire defense—especially in high-emotion snaps following big collisions.

Reaction inside the room has been largely positive: veterans framed Policy’s move as both protection and standard-setting. “September is always hot,” one veteran said. “You stand up for your guy and you protect the shield. You can do both.

By agreeing to pay the fine while submitting video for review, the Packers aimed two messages at once: discipline is non-negotiable, and consistency in league enforcement is what teams expect in borderline situations. With Cleveland on deck in Week 3, Green Bay pivots back to the field—where McKinney remains a central voice for a defense finding its stride.

Packers Offensive Line Leader Elgton Jenkins Praises Two Rookies for Making the Unit More Complete: “They Are the Future of the Packers”
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Ahead of the new game week, Elgton Jenkins spoke about his leadership role on the Green Bay Packers’ offensive line—both a responsibility and a privilege. He said that, alongside the veterans in the room, the goal is to “pull” the younger players up to the standard every day and turn each practice into real progress. Jenkins reserved special praise for two rookie offensive linemen: Anthony Belton (OT, Round 2, No. 54) and John Williams (OL, Round 7, No. 250). Belton has the profile of a modern edge tackle, while Williams is a flexible piece who can play tackle/guard depending on the package—very much in line with the Packers’ philosophy of building dependable depth. In pass protection, Jenkins emphasized that Belton keeps his shoulders square, stays calm versus blitz looks, and shows enough anchor when defenders try to long-arm him on the edge; Williams communicates well through twists/stunts, executes clean pass-offs in the pocket, and helps keep Jordan Love a stable platform. In the run game, both rookies expand the toolbox—from inside/outside zone that demand quick reach and firm combos to gap/power concepts that require precise second-level fits. “They are the future of the Packers — these two young guys bring the energy, discipline, and standard an offensive line needs to dominate. My job is to keep them on track so we get better every week.” — Elgton Jenkins said. Jenkins acknowledged that a dense schedule and “multiple” defensive fronts are forcing the O-line to mature quickly in high-leverage moments: third-and-long, two-minute drills, and slide/half-slide protections against pressure from multiple sources. “Once the young guys start to ‘catch the rhythm,’ the whole unit pops at the same time,” he said. Expert view: From a technical standpoint, Belton fits vertical/45 sets on the edge, is improving his anchor versus bull rushes, and is increasingly confident holding the corner without constant chip help; Williams brings the frame, tight hand usage, and low pad level, plus reliable MIKE-point ID and clean climbs to the second level—traits that set him up for early swing duties (tackle/guard). Within the Packers’ developmental framework—where disciplined footwork and communication are priorities—this duo has a clear pathway to grow from late-day draft picks into meaningful contributors.