Jameis Winston is set to make a mark in New York with the Giants. The experienced quarterback has secured a two-year contract worth $8 million with the team, as per a source familiar with the arrangement. This addition makes Winston and Tommy DeVito the only quarterbacks on the Giants’ roster at present. The Giants have been examining several veteran quarterbacks during free agency, with names like Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Joe Flacco being considered.
An official announcement from the team is awaited, but reports suggest that Winston’s deal could potentially reach $16 million if incentives are met. Winston hinted at his new journey to the Big Apple on social media with a playful nod to his past, incorporating an apple emoji in his message.
The quarterback situation in New York has been unpredictable this offseason. Prior to Winston’s signing, the Giants had only managed to extend Tommy DeVito’s contract. Talks were in motion for the Rams’ Matthew Stafford, but he ultimately chose to stay with Los Angeles by restructuring his deal. The Giants also seemed to have shown interest in Aaron Rodgers until he had a meeting with Pittsburgh, indicating possible mutual interest. While Rodgers met with the Steelers, no contract was signed, leaving his next steps unclear.
Russell Wilson, another free agent, is also weighing his options and could make a decision based on Rodgers’ choice. The Giants had discussions with Winston, Wilson, and Flacco before deciding on Winston to complement DeVito on their team. Holding the No. 3 pick in the coming NFL draft, New York could still eye top quarterback prospects like Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders.
In his last season with the Browns, Winston played in 12 games, starting seven due to an injury to Deshaun Watson. He recorded 2,121 passing yards alongside 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. A standout moment was his 497 passing yards against Denver, setting a Browns record, albeit marred by three interceptions.
Throughout his career, Winston has had stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints. Drafted first overall in 2015, he quickly proved his potential despite later struggles with consistency and turnovers. His peak performance in 2019 saw him leading the league in both yards and interceptions. After a period as a backup with the Saints, he faced injuries that limited his playtime.
Over a decade in the NFL, Winston has accumulated impressive statistics, throwing for 24,225 yards, 154 touchdowns, and 111 interceptions.
