The New York Giants have reached an agreement with quarterback Jameis Winston on a two-year, $8 million contract, according to a source close to the deal who spoke to The Associated Press on Friday night. The 31-year-old Winston now joins Tommy DeVito as the only quarterbacks on the Giants’ roster. New York had been actively seeking a veteran quarterback, with Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson also rumored as potential targets.
The source requested anonymity because the team has not officially announced the deal. NFL Network was the first to report Winston’s signing with the Giants.
“Start spreading the neWs,” Winston wrote on X (formerly Twitter), referencing his famous “Eat a W” pregame chant from his time with Tampa Bay in 2017, while also confirming his move to New York with an apple emoji.
The Giants’ quarterback situation has been uncertain this offseason, with the only change at the position being the re-signing of DeVito. Meanwhile, the team was reportedly waiting on Rodgers, the 41-year-old QB who spent the last two seasons with the Jets before being released on March 13.
Rodgers met with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, sparking speculation about a potential deal, although no contract was signed. A source familiar with the situation revealed that Rodgers spent several hours at the Steelers’ facility gathering information but left without finalizing a deal. Wilson, a free agent after playing with Pittsburgh last season, could be waiting on Rodgers’ decision to determine his next move.
While continuing to explore options, the Giants recently met with Winston, securing a veteran quarterback to join DeVito. They also hold the No. 3 pick in the upcoming NFL draft, keeping the possibility open for a top quarterback prospect like Miami’s Cam Ward or Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders.
Winston, who played 12 games for Cleveland last season and started seven, threw for 2,121 yards and 13 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. He set a Browns record with 497 passing yards and four touchdowns in Week 13 against Denver but also threw three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns in a 41-32 loss.
Prior to his time with the Browns, Winston spent four seasons in New Orleans, primarily as a backup. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by Tampa Bay, Winston started his career strong, finishing second in AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting behind Todd Gurley and surpassing 4,000 passing yards in his first two seasons. However, he struggled with consistency and interceptions in key moments.
Winston threw for 5,109 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2019 but also led the league with a career-high 30 interceptions in his final season as Tampa Bay’s starter. He signed with the Saints in 2020 to back up Drew Brees and re-signed the following year after Brees’ retirement. Winston started seven games in 2021 before an ACL tear ended his season and was limited by a back injury the next year, again serving as a backup to Andy Dalton. In 2023, he returned to the Saints as Derek Carr’s backup.
Through 10 NFL seasons, Winston has passed for 24,225 yards and 154 touchdowns, with 111 interceptions.
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