Shortly after signing free-agent quarterback Jameis Winston, the New York Giants made another move, reaching an agreement with free-agent quarterback Russell Wilson. Winston was aware this could happen when he joined the team, which has significantly revamped its quarterback depth chart this offseason.
“My role was explained to me as an opportunity to help improve the quarterback position,” Winston said after finalizing his two-year, $8 million contract. “That’s why I signed up—I want to improve and be my best self. I wasn’t given a specific role because I’ve played so many different ones already. I’ve been in every position a quarterback can be in, so I’m prepared for anything.”
Winston acknowledged that the Giants might add another quarterback, whether through free agency or the draft. “That’s their business,” he said. “My focus is on today, and today, I have the privilege of becoming a Giant.”
After starting seven games for the Cleveland Browns in 2024, Winston entered free agency alongside some of the most experienced quarterbacks available, including Wilson and Aaron Rodgers. While Rodgers remains unsigned, numerous other quarterbacks—including Brandon Allen, Kyle Allen, Jacoby Brissett, Sam Darnold, Joshua Dobbs, Sam Ehlinger, Justin Fields, Daniel Jones, Mac Jones, Gardner Minshew, Nick Mullens, Cooper Rush, and Zach Wilson—have all found new teams.
“With Aaron and Russ dominating the market early on, free agency was slow,” Winston explained. “A lot of teams were waiting on them before making decisions. But the Giants were one of the few teams that showed real interest, inviting me in, letting me meet Coach [Brian] Daboll, and giving me a chance to see what they were about.”
A former football and baseball star at Hueytown High School, Winston was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft after winning the Heisman Trophy at Florida State. He spent five seasons as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ starting quarterback and later started two seasons with the New Orleans Saints before injuries derailed those opportunities. Last year, he stepped in for the Browns when Deshaun Watson suffered a season-ending injury.
“My goal this offseason was to find a situation where I could either start or have a bridge opportunity to become a starter,” Winston said. “I see this as a similar opportunity. Whether I’m competing with a veteran quarterback or mentoring a young rookie, my job is to help the team get better.”
With the third overall pick in this month’s NFL Draft, the Giants could select a quarterback, and Winston is prepared to take on a mentorship role.
“One of the best experiences of my career was spending a year with Drew Brees—learning from him, watching him, and understanding what it takes to be an NFL quarterback at the highest level,” Winston said. “I’ve been in rooms with experienced veterans like Ryan Fitzpatrick and Derek Carr, and I helped mentor Dorian Thompson-Robinson in Cleveland last year. If I have the chance to guide a young quarterback here, I’ll embrace that responsibility.”