Giants signing Jameis Winston on two-year, $8 million contract
By Paul Schwartz
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New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones runs with the ball against the Indianapolis Colts during an NFL football game, Jan. 1, 2023, in East Rutherford, N.J.
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Try to figure out why the Giants are hitching their quarterback wagon to the high wire act that is Jameis Winston, sprinkle in a bit of common sense and this is what you get: The Giants really and truly are still setting their sights on the upcoming NFL Draft to secure the most important position on the field.
Or else, how about this?
The Giants even after adding Winston are not completely out on Aaron Rodgers — to the extent that they were ever actually in on Rodgers.
For now, word came down Friday night that Winston is coming to the Giants on a two-year deal worth $8 million, the Post confirmed.
It sure seems as if the Giants got a bit more fun with this wild and wacky addition, and it remains to be seen where Winston fits in on the depth chart, as there will be more quarterbacks arriving on the roster.
He is also not Rodgers, the mercurial 41-year old who has yet to say where or if he wants to continue his NFL career for his 21st season.
Jameis Winston
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Jameis Winston is coming to the Giants on a two-year deal.
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The Giants still want him and will not close the door on him, even after the Winston signing.
They did not feel comfortable waiting and waiting for Rodgers to make up his mind without adding an experienced quarterback.
Before this, Tommy DeVito was the only quarterback on the roster.
Rodgers remains a longshot.
If he does come to the Giants, Winston would be his backup – his contract is in line with a backup quarterback.
And, in that scenario, the Giants could still be interested in selecting a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick in the draft.
That pick could end up being Shedeur Sanders and there would be no pressure to get him on the field as a rookie, with Rodgers and Winston ahead of him.
Jameis Winston celebrates with David Njoku during the Browns' game against the Saints on Nov. 17.
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Jameis Winston celebrates with David Njoku during the Browns’ game against the Saints on Nov. 17.
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It appears trading up to No. 1 with the Titans to get Cam Ward is a pipe-dream, at this point in the pre-draft process.
Winston is a 31-year old journeyman.
He can sling it with the best of them, at times finding his own targets and at times hitting defensive backs on the other team in the hands.
Winston on his ‘X’ account posted “Start spreading the neWs’’ followed by an apple emoji, signifying his coming to the New York market.
The need for a new starting quarterback was put in motion last November, when Daniel Jones was benched and then released.
Following a dismal 3-14 season, the Giants first tried to acquire Matthew Stafford in a trade with the Rams and for a short time believed that was going to happen.
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Jameis Winston throws a pass during the Browns’ game against the Broncos on Dec. 2.
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The Rams never made the deal and Stafford stayed in Los Angeles.
After that, the Giants set their sights on Rodgers, believing he was the next-best option. That pursuit went nowhere but that tale has yet to be told.
The Giants brought in Russell Wilson, Joe Flacco and Winston for visits to the team facility and went for the youngest player in those options.
Why Winston over Wilson?
The Giants after meeting with both of them felt as if Winston is a better fit.
Around the NFL, Winston has a better reputation, as far as his locker room presence. Wilson has been in and out with three teams the past four years.
The Steelers remain in the quarterback market and clearly have not made re-signing Wilson a priority.
Winston is a free-spirit who has an engaging personality and is popular with his teammates.
His 10-year NFL career has been filled with highlights and lowlights.
Jameis Winston looks to make a pass during the Browns’ game against the Chiefs on Dec. 15.
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Last season, he went 2-5 as a starter for the Browns, with 13 touchdown passes and 12 interceptions.
In 2019 playing for the Buccaneers, Winston went 7-9 tossing 33 touchdown passes and an NFL-high 30 interceptions that season, the last time he was a full-time starter in the league.
He also threw for a league-leading 5,109 yards.
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Jameis Winston throws a pass before the Browns' game against the Ravens on Jan. 4.
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Jameis Winston throws a pass before the Browns’ game against the Ravens on Jan. 4.
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Winston has 154 touchdown passes and 111 interceptions on his NFL resume.
The Bucs made Winston the No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.
He has played for the Bucs, Saints and Browns and soon enough, the Giants.
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