The Giants have their veteran bridge quarterback
The New York Giants apparently have their veteran bridge quarterback. Jameis Winston and the Giants are reportedly finalizing a two-year, $8 million deal with incentives that could push the deal’s value to $16 million.
The Giants have spent much of the offseason focused on finding a veteran quarterback with Tommy DeVito the only quarterback on the current 90-man roster.
The Giants tried and failed to swing a mega-trade with the Los Angeles Rams for Matthew Stafford.
They flirted with former Green Bay Packers and New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. After Rodgers visited with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, the Giants seemingly decided to end their Rodgers pursuit.
The Giants had also been regularly connected to Russell Wilson, a free agent after spending last season with the Steelers. The Giants also had grizzled veteran Joe Flacco in to their facility for a visit.
In the end, they choose Winston.
Start spreading the neWs
— Jameis Winston (@Jaboowins) March 21, 2025
The 31-year-old Winston was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He spent five years with the Bucs, four with the New Orleans Saints and the 2024 season with the Cleveland Browns.
Winston has played in 105 regular season games with a 36-51 record as a starter. He has a reputation as being a rollercoaster ride type quarterback capable of keeping both teams in a game at the same time. In 2024 for the Browns, he had a game in which he threw for 497 yards, with four touchdowns and three interceptions.
NFL insider Mike Garafolo said the Giants have not shut the door on Rodgers.
This does not change the #Giants’ pursuit of Aaron Rodgers or alter any other possible QB routes. Just getting a veteran QB under contract in a QB room that only had Tommy DeVito coming into the day. https://t.co/Rx6JruWVCa
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 21, 2025
Winston is a magnetic personality, vastly different from Daniel Jones. Former teammates, though, speak highly of what type of teammate he is.
Winston’s experience as a highly-drafted quarterback who has had plenty of peaks and valleys in his career could make him an excellent mentor for whatever young quarterback the Giants draft.
Speaking of the draft, signing Winston would seem to have no impact on how the Giants might approach quarterback in the draft.