New York Giants co-owner John Mara was very direct after last season when he addressed the media for the final time to recap the season and announce he was bringing back coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen.
He said they needed more consistency from the quarterback position. He was referring to now and in the future. There is no way Mara wanted to trust the present success of the Giants to a career journeyman who has lost more games than he has won.
The Giants signed Jameis Winston on Friday to a two-year deal worth a minimum of $8 million. The deal could balloon to $16 million with incentives and escalators.
Winston has a 36-51 record as starter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints and most recently the Cleveland Browns. Winston has also thrown more interceptions than touchdowns over the last three seasons. He has thrown 19 touchdowns with 20 interceptions.
The Giants are not a better team with Winston. Moving from Daniel Jones to Jameis does not mark progress.
They need to further upgrade the position as Winston is a backup at best. He can lose a game as easily as the next quarterback, but Mara is looking to win, or he is going to clean house by getting rid of Daboll and Schoen.
It is true the Giants are giving strong consideration to drafting a quarterback in April. It is essential they don't mess this one up. They cannot reach for a quarterback who does not deserve to be drafted higher than projected.
The Giants don't need another Daniel Jones, who was drafted earlier than expected because the team felt he would not be there later.
When the Giants turn in their card for the first-round pick, if they go quarterback, Miami's Cam Ward is the only one worthy of that pick.
Shedeur Sanders of Colorado is a reach at No. 3, but he is certainly worthy of a first-round selection. Perhaps the Giants can package a deal to trade back into the middle of the first round and take Sanders where he should be taken.
If Ward is not there at three, which he probably will not be, the Giants could take Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and pair him with Malik Nabers. Big Blue would then have a great pair of receivers.
The Giants can always find a quarterback prospect in the second round with the 34th pick. There is nothing wrong with Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss, Louisville's Tyler Shough or Syracuse's Kyle McCord, who is working his way up the draft boards.
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In the end, Schoen is charged with the responsibility of finding a real QB, a winning QB, one who fits the vision of ownership.
If not? His days as the Giants general manager are limited.
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This story was originally published March 23, 2025 at 10:47 AM.