Why Keeping a 2015 First-Round Veteran QB Was a Smart Move for the 2026 Giants
Jameis Winston isn’t going anywhere. The New York Giants signed him for the next two seasons to remain a leading presence in the Giants' locker room and lead young quarterback Jaxson Dart. New York signed him yesterday afternoon to another two years, with the contract worth up to $13 million. Fans and analysts are thrilled the veteran passer is staying. Big Blue needs to keep a veteran on, and it was the right move.
Winston is entering his 12th year in the NFL. He has enough under his belt to show the 2025 first-round pick his way. He is there to show him how to stay humble and avoid making the same mistakes he made at the start of his career. Winston was a first-round pick himself in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, this experienced backup quarterback had the starting job and found himself benched because he couldn't deliver for his teams. The former Florida State product lost the starting job and became a backup for multiple teams over the years. Winston learned to rebuild his career from his mistakes. The Giants’ backup quarterback is definitely a good choice for Dart to follow in his footsteps.
The experienced signal caller is also a good choice as a backup for Big Blue in case the Ole Miss alum goes out on injury. He knows how to play the game and pull off wins. The former Heisman Trophy winner pulled off two wins during the offseason. There's a difference between being a backup quarterback and being one who can pull through and win games. Winston's best game during the 2026 preseason was during the Miami game, where he completed 15 of 21 passes for 150 yards. The veteran quarterback also ran touchdowns for Big Blue, which seems to be one of their stronger areas on this team between him and Dart.
Winston has also pushed for stability in the Giants' quarterback room. Harbaugh is building the team solely around his young quarterback. It was definitely a good option to keep him on and let him continue mentoring the second-year quarterback. They don’t want to keep switching out veteran quarterbacks every season. It’s not a good look and, in the long run, won't help Dart at all.
The Giants don’t view this veteran as disposable. They view him as a legitimate player who's not riding the bench all season long. Winston definitely knows what he is doing and has wanted to be part of this team for a long time. The veteran quarterback has been helpful since they brought him in over two years ago. New York made the right call by keeping him on throughout 2028.
