Jameis Winston, Cleveland Browns | Greg Fiume/GettyImages
The New York Giants have signed quarterback Jameis Winston, but make no mistake—he’s not their long-term answer. At best, he’s a stopgap, a veteran presence to bridge the gap until the team lands its quarterback of the future.
Winston’s Role in New York
Winston, 31, is joining the Giants on a two-year, $8 million deal. It’s a modest contract that gives New York flexibility to move on after one season if they choose. This signing follows a trend of the Giants pursuing veteran quarterbacks this offseason—first targeting Matthew Stafford, then exploring Aaron Rodgers—before ultimately settling on Winston.
Over the years, Winston has had chances to establish himself as a franchise quarterback, whether in New Orleans or Cleveland, but it never materialized. Now, he arrives in New York with the same expectations: hold the position temporarily while the team searches for its long-term solution.
Drafting a Quarterback Remains the Priority
The most important part of the Giants’ offseason isn’t Winston—it’s finding their next franchise quarterback. Whether that happens with the No. 3 overall pick or by trading up or down in the draft, general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll know they must secure their future at the position.
Co-owner John Mara made it clear at the end of the season: the defense needed to improve, the offensive line required more depth, and finding a long-term quarterback was the top priority.
So far, the Giants have addressed the first two issues. They signed three notable defensive players in free agency and added depth to the offensive line. The only missing piece? A long-term quarterback.
How Winston Fits Into the Giants’ Plans
Schoen and Daboll are under pressure. After a 3-14 season, their job security depends on winning as soon as possible. That’s why they initially pursued Stafford, even offering him over $50 million per year, only for him to remain with the Rams. They also explored Rodgers before he chose a different path.
With few other veteran options left, they turned to Winston. He’s expected to help the Giants remain competitive, mentor a rookie quarterback, and keep ownership satisfied—at least temporarily.
“We’re going to look for the best player available that can help us win games in ’25,” Schoen said recently. “That’s what we’re going to do.”
At the NFL scouting combine, speculation swirled that the Giants might trade up to No. 1 for Miami’s Cam Ward. However, with the Tennessee Titans seemingly locked in on Ward, that path now appears closed.
Regardless, the plan was never to start a rookie right away. The Giants initially hoped to land a top-tier veteran. After missing out on Stafford and Rodgers, they settled for Winston.
It’s a move that makes sense—as long as the real franchise quarterback arrives in the draft.
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This report used information from ESPN.
