‘Things I think’ after the Giants’ signing of QB Jameis Winston

The Winston Experience is always a thrill ride

Depending upon your perspective, the New York Giants front office may or may not have gotten a lot of things right the past couple of seasons. The Giants, though, showed with the signing of quarterback Jameis Winston that they have perfected the art of the late Friday night news dump.

Here are some ‘things I think’ after the signing of Winston. Minus how annoying it was to have to write the story in my bathrobe while trying to enjoy some NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament action.

Winston always made sense

The 31-year-old Winston wasn’t the best quarterback on the market. Given where the Giants are, though, signing him always made sense. He is a former No. 1 pick who has had well-chronicled ups and downs during what has become a journeyman career. He profiles not only as a quarterback Brian Daboll will appreciate for his (sometimes questionable) willingness to push the ball down the field, but also as a player who should be an excellent mentor for a young quarterback. Former teammates love Winston.

I have long supported the idea of pairing Winston with a rookie quarterback.

Giants fans seem happy … for now

In a poll earlier this month, Big Blue View readers chose Winston over Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson as the veteran quarterback they wanted the Giants to sign.

Thus, the results of our current poll asking readers to grade the signing can’t be a surprise. Seventy-four percent have scored the signing as an ‘A’ or ‘B.’ As of Saturday, there is still time to vote.

Rodgers or Wilson still possible?

The Giants are only paying Winston $8 million over two years, with the possibility incentives could bring that to $16M. That is backup quarterback money, and several in the media have already jumped on the idea that Winston’s signing would not precluded bringing in Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson.

Mike Garafolo wrote “This does not change the #Giants’ pursuit of Aaron Rodgers or alter any other possible QB routes.”

Paul Schwartz of the New York Post wrote of Rodgers that “The Giants still want him and will not close the door on him.”

I have always thought Rodgers to the Giants was both unlikely and a comically bad idea. Still do.

There is also Wilson to consider.

Telegraphing the draft?

It has always seemed like the Giants would sign a veteran quarterback as a bridge or placeholder, then select one early in the 2025 NFL Draft. If Winston ends up being the only veteran quarterback signed, the necessity of drafting a young quarterback early is obvious. Winston, at this point in his career, isn’t a long-term answer at the position.

A trade up for Cam Ward at No. 1 seems unlikely as of now. Will that be Shedeur Sanders at No. 3? Jaxson Dart at No. 34 or via trade back into Round 1? Jalen Milroe? Tyler Shough? Someone else?

It is clear the Giants are not done at quarterback. They can’t be.

Winston will be fun … until he’s not

Winston is the anti-Daniel Jones. He is anything but a milquetoast personality, and being risk-averse while throwing the football does not appear to be part of his DNA.

Winston will be a lot of fun.

Until he’s not.

The quintessential Winston game came in 2024 against the Denver Broncos. He completed 34 of 58 passes for an astounding 497 yards, threw four touchdowns and was intercepted three times, twice for pick-sixes.

The three videos below are the Jameis Winston Experience:

Buckle up, Giants fans! If you thought Drew Lock was a rollercoaster ride, you haven’t see anything yet.