DENVER, COLORADO - DECEMBER 02: Jameis Winston #5 of the Cleveland Browns runs off the field after ... More being defeated by the Denver Broncos in the game at Empower Field At Mile High on December 02, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
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When the New York Giants signed Jameis Winston to a two-year, $8 million contract earlier this month, it was presumed in many corners that he’d be the starting quarterback, paving the way from the Daniel Jones era into a new world for a quarterback still yet to be added to the roster.
That is true — to an extent. Just days later, the Giants also signed Russell Wilson to an incentive-laden contract worth more in 2025 than the entirety of Winston’s deal. However the quarterback order shakes out in New York, though, Winston signaled a willingness to play his part.
“My role was explained to me as there is an opportunity at the quarterback position that we’re looking forward to getting better at," Winston told reporters on Mondau. "I signed up for that because I'm looking forward to getting better and being my very best self myself.
“So that's how was it. I didn't get a clean explanation of my role because I played so many different roles already. I’ve played every role that the quarterback room has to offer, so I'm ready for anything.”
For the Giants, the twin signings of Winston and Wilson accomplish several goals at once. The team was left without any talent at the position at all following the 2024 season, with a general understanding that Tommy DeVito would not figure into the short-term or long-term plans.
But a move for Matthew Stafford, one the Giants strongly considered, would have meant giving up assets that are vital for the future. [At least conceptually](https://www.forbes.com/sites/howardmegdal/2025/01/07/the-new-york-giants-are-staying-the-course-now-they-need-patience/), the Giants understand that the leap from 3-14 to Super Bowl contender cannot be made in a year.
And if the Giants draft that quarterback of the future in April? Winston is ready for that experience, too.
“One of the greatest experiences that I had in my NFL career was a chance to spend one year with Drew Brees and just pick his mind, watch his actions, and just be immersed into being an NFL quarterback and seeing what it looks like to the highest degree,” Winston said.
"One thing that he always exhibited was consistency. He was at the same place every single time of the day. Another thing he exemplified was resilience. He didn't let anything get in the way of his preparation, in the way of his approach.
"And the other thing was he kept it simple. He didn't think too much about the big things. He focused on doing the small things over and over again that resulted in him having the success he had for his entire career.
"So me having that experience, being in rooms with great veteran quarterbacks such as Ryan Fitzpatrick, being in rooms with now quarterbacks with Derek Carr, Deshaun Watson last year, having the chance to mentor Dorian Thompson-Robinson when he had a chance to get back in his starting role with the Cleveland Browns. I've been able to learn so many different things from my time, my career.
“So catering to a young quarterback and serving them would be something that I would definitely take on with a great responsibility and cherish it.”
Ultimately, any battles in the quarterback room may be mitigated by the relationship between Winston and Wilson.
“My relationship with Russ is good, man," Winston said. "Russ. A lot of people don't know this, he was one of the quarterbacks that allowed me to take a look into how he ran -- Russ ran his enterprise, ran his businesses, how he took care of his body and how he trained and what did he do to go into his mental approach.”
It may not be enough to turn the Giants into Super Bowl contenders in 2025. But that was never reasonable.