When the New York Giants signed veteran quarterback Jameis Winston to a two-year, $8 million contract last offseason, the hope was he would instantly energize the locker room and hold down the fort if called upon.
Fast forward one year, and it's clear that what he brought to the G-Men was invaluable and so much more than they ever could have hoped for. He became the perfect mentor for rookie QB Jaxson Dart, gave fans one of the most electric moments of his entire career, and brought fun back to East Rutherford -- just like he said he would when he put pen to paper.
The 2015 No. 1 overall pick is entering the last year of his deal, but the Giants have until July 15 to extend him. While Famous Jameis might not seem like a top priority with guys like Wan’Dale Robinson, Cor’Dale Flott, and Jermaine Eluemunor also in the mix, his gravitational pull inside the locker room is unmatched, and Malik Nabers all but confirmed it.
Malik Nabers confirms what Giants fans already felt about Jameis Winston
Nabers spoke with the media on Monday, talking about his rehab progress after suffering a torn ACL in Week 4. He was telling reporters that he asked Jaboo why it happened to him.
To absolutely no one’s surprise, the 32-year-old delivered the most Jameis Winston answer imaginable, proving he’s worth far more than the $8 million he signed for last offseason:
"Why not you? Why not go back to the bottom and try to find your way back to the top?"Winston to Leek
Famous Jameis is... well, famous (if the shoe fits) for his soundbites, and this is one we'll be adding to the pile. It's no "We outside, but we inside," but you get the same sentiment, at least I think so: Outside to inside, bottom to top. We're all saying the same thing.
In addition to the Winston pep talk, the 22-year-old receiver also provided an update on his recovery. When asked if he'd be ready to go by Week 1, the Giants' record holder told reporters that he'd return to football activities whenever his body feels ready.
Related: Malik Nabers gets honest about knee recovery, resetting expectations for Giants fans
His comments did absolutely nothing to squash fans' concerns over his future availability, especially when he showed up to their Week 18 game with a cane. When asked about that, he said: “I had a lot messed up in my knee.” He then reassured everyone that he is "right on track" but taking things day-by-day.
If only Jameis’ words also had the healing powers to bring Nabers back by Week 1. Even so, the Giants would be wise to extend the QB whose value routinely shows up in places that can't be seen on a stat sheet.