MIAMI, Florida — With little time left before teams head into minicamp, the NFL trade market has suddenly heated up with news that the Miami Dolphins are considering a major move to upgrade their defense.
According to multiple sources, new head coach Jeff is actively lobbying Dolphins leadership to pursue safety Xavier McKinney, a player he worked with directly during his time as defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers.
Hafley is believed to think McKinney is the missing piece to complete Miami’s defensive system.
Not only does he possess excellent play-reading ability, the 26-year-old star also brings experience, leadership qualities, and the ability to make a difference in critical moments.
Since joining the Packers on a big contract before the 2024 season, McKinney quickly proved his value with consistent performances.
He earned a Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro honors thanks to his field coverage, ability to create turnovers, and leadership of Green Bay’s defense.
Although the 2025 season was affected by injury, McKinney still maintained the level of one of the most complete safeties in the NFL.
This is exactly why Hafley wants to reunite with his former pupil as he begins building the Dolphins according to his own defensive philosophy.
However, this trade will not be simple. McKinney remains one of the most important players for the Packers and is carrying a cap hit of approximately $19 million for the 2026 season under the contract signed in 2024.
Nevertheless, Green Bay is also facing salary cap pressure and needs to create additional financial space to support their roster development plans in the coming seasons. If they receive an attractive enough offer, Packers leadership could consider it.
According to expert evaluations, the Dolphins have sufficient draft capital to build a noteworthy trade package. A second-round pick along with a third-round pick is considered a reasonable price if Miami is truly determined to pursue McKinney.
If the trade goes through, the Packers would save approximately $7 to $10 million in cap space, while also opening up more playing opportunities for young talents like Evan Williams and Javon Bullard.
On the other side, the Dolphins would immediately acquire an All-Pro caliber safety who already understands Hafley’s system. This could significantly accelerate the process of building their new defense before the official season begins.
Notably, the relationship between Hafley and McKinney is considered very positive from their time working together in Green Bay. That trust is seen as one of the key factors driving the Dolphins’ interest in the trade.
However, as of now, there has been no official confirmation that the Packers and Dolphins have begun negotiations or are close to an agreement. The information surrounding the trade mainly comes from sources and analysis in the trade market.
For Green Bay, parting ways with a top defensive star is certainly not an ideal choice. However, if the return value is large enough and brings long-term benefits, this could be a decision the team is forced to consider.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins are aiming to upgrade their roster right before minicamp to give Hafley enough time to implement his new tactical system ahead of the 2026 season.
If the Xavier McKinney trade actually happens, it is likely to become one of the most notable exchanges in the pre-season preparation period, while also creating significant impact on the competitive ambitions of both the Miami Dolphins and the Green Bay Packers in 2026.
