Jameis Winston, Saquon Barkley solve New York Giants’ quarterback puzzle

Would Winston fit as the Giants’ bridge quarterback?

In a playful exchange during Super Bowl opening night, Jameis Winston and Philadelphia Eagles’ star running back Saquon Barkley solved the Giants’ need for a veteran bridge quarterback for the upcoming season.

Winston, a veteran free agent quarterback looking for a new employer, popped into Barkley’s Super Bowl media availability on Monday night with a question for the former Giant. Here is how the exchange went:

“I’m a free agent, I don’t really got no job,” Winston asked. “Who’s gonna sign me in free agency?”

Answered Barkley: “I think New York needs a quarterback right now.”

Would Winston, No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and now a journeyman, want to play for the Giants?

“Would I really sign with the Giants? Absolutely!” Winston told NJ Advance Media. “I want to keep playing and do what I do best.”

Talking NJ Advance Media’s Ryan Novozinsky, Winston got a little ahead of himself thinking about the Giants:

“I have a ton of respect for coach Brian Daboll, the things he does offensively,” Winston said. “I think we have a young— woah! They have a young roster. But they have a young roster that’s ready to win. They’re ready to bounce back. I know they’re hungry over there.”

Would this be a good idea?

It would certainly be interesting. BBV’s Nick Falato took a look earlier this week at the best and worst of Winston, and there are certainly plenty of examples of both throughout his 10-year career.

Watching the erratic Drew Lock play quarterback for a few games in 2024 was a rollercoaster ride. Winston is Lock on steriods. Winston can look like John Elway one week, and the quarterback of your local JV team the next. Sometimes, he can do that in the same game. Witness his 497-yard, four-touchdown, three-interception game in a 42-31 loss to Winston’s Cleveland Browns to the Denver Broncos last season.

Winston’s career touchdown rate is 4.8%, and his interception rate is 3.5%. For reference, Daniel Jones is at 3.1% touchdown passes and 2.1% interceptions. So, a Winston-led offense would be unlike anything Giants fans are used to.

Winston is also quite the personality, another thing that would be a change for the Giants.

Would you like Winston as the Giants’ bridge quarterback, maybe in concert with Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart or whatever rookie signal-caller the Giants add? Vote in the poll.