Packers' Xavier McKinney reveals NFL fined him for ripping refs after loss to Lions

Xavier McKinney said the NFL fined him after he criticized referees following Green Bay’s loss to the Detroit Lions. The Packers returned to form Thursday, beating the Carolina Panthers 27-19 at Lambeau Field to improve to 5-3, while Carolina fell to 3-4. McKinney’s comments came after the Lions game, where he said he was unhappy with what he viewed as questionable calls, including a crucial penalty in the fourth quarter. ESPN’s Rob Demovsky reported that before kickoff vs. the Panthers, the 28-year-old safety revealed the league fined him for his blunt remarks. Demovsky noted the minimum fine for criticizing officials is $25,000; McKinney did not specify the exact amount but said it wasn’t less than that. McKinney signed a four-year, $67 million extension with Green Bay in 2024 and had three total sacks and one pass defended against Carolina. The Packers face the New England Patriots in Week 9.