The New York Giants have finally found a quarterback, and amidst a vast expanse of uninspiring options, they've locked in the most entertaining route to their next franchise quarterback.
According to Jordan Schultz, the Giants are signing bridge quarterback Jameis Winston to a two-year deal.
The contract is worth $8 million with a maximum value of $16 million based on various incentives.
In signing Winston, New York gives itself a starter-level veteran who can reasonably start from the jump and mentor a rookie. It's important to note, though, that this is firmly backup quarterback money.
The Giants can still afford a more proven starter like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson should general manager Joe Schoen feel that two shots at average quarterbacking is a safer proposition than one. This doesn't preclude from drafting a rookie at No. 3, either, whether it be Miami's Cam Ward or Colorado's Shedeur Sanders.
New York could push that decision into Day 2 or (with another veteran signing) hope to land the top passing prospect in a stronger 2026 class.
Thus, it isn't immediately clear whether Winston will start in Week 1 or how contingent that is on a draft pick or signing.
However, it all but guarantees the ride to 2026 has as many exhilarating moments as a non-playoff season can have. Volatility is the crux of Winston's game. He's the only passer to ever post a 30-touchdown, 30-interception season, epitomizing his proclivity for stretching the field.
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Among the 50 quarterbacks with at least 1,000 plays since 2018, none have averaged a higher average depth of target than Winston. At 10.2 yards, he's the lone passer in double digits, and the distance between him and the second-highest, Ryan Fitzpatrick (9.0), is the same as the distance between Fitzpatrick and Mac Jones, who ranks 32nd in that sample.
Winston's on-field play is reckless and risky, but to fans not invested in winning games, about as exciting as it gets from a mediocre skill set. His off-field comments will earn him the goodwill of a fanbase and a handful of viral moments along the way.
Signing Winston doesn't officially answer who next season's starter will be, but it gives New York its first real option of the offseason – an option that stylistically deviates from everything Giants fans have seen since Eli Manning retired.
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This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 5:13 PM.