Jameis Winston is staying in New York. The Giants agreed to a two-year, $13 million extension with the veteran quarterback, keeping him under contract through 2028.
Winston served as Jaxson Dart’s backup for most of last season and into this season. Winston also filled in for a few games when Dart suffered a concussion.
Winston was in the last year of his two-year, $8 million deal, with his current cap number amounting to $5 million in 2026. His $3,950,000 base salary in 2026 will now likely be reduced, providing the Giants with immediate cap relief.
This is a rare, proactive extension for New York and a smart one. $6.5 million per year is a bargain for a quality backup who brings added leadership value. Winston is by far the best backup quarterback the Giants have had in a long time.
Having Winston as QB2 is actually incredible; not many teams have a quarterback who would probably start for a good chunk of the season sitting on the bench. He’s bounced from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints, and Cleveland Browns, but New York embraced him. He has played two seasons with the Giants. His four seasons with the Saints represent Winston’s second-longest tenure with any team outside of the Buccaneers. He was drafted No. 1 overall in 2015 and is 36-53 as a starter.
Winston threw for 567 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in 2025. Winston is 32 years old and has 89 NFL starts with nearly 25,000 career passing yards.
Winston has gone from Famous Jameis, Eating Ws guy, Jaboowins guy, Crab Legs, to the funniest QB in the league. He built himself an NFL career by creating a funny-bearded character.
Winston has the physical and mental tools to start in the NFL. He just needs a coach that could nurture his ability while reducing his risk-taking. He threw 30 interceptions in 2019, while throwing for 5,109 passing yards with Tampa Bay.
Winston’s brief stint as a full-time starter with Sean Payton produced a 5-2 record, with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions in 2021 with New Orleans. The right coach could hone his ability. He has had an elite football career.
What’s your take? Post it in our free sports community at stadiumrant.app, or download Stadium Rant on the App Store.
Watching them commit to Winston on a multi-year extension highlights how vital quality veteran depth is in the modern NFL. It’s easy for front offices to ignore the backup spot until disaster strikes, but locking down an experienced pro who understands his role behind a franchise cornerstone is smart team-building.
People love to obsess over backup quarterback salaries, but keeping a high-energy presence in Winston who can mentor young starter Dart and galvanize the locker room is priceless. When you have a reliable insurance policy who brings unmatched entertainment value both on and off the field, you reward him.
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
