Jameis Winston may not have lived up to the hype that comes with a No. 1 overall selection in the NFL Draft, but he has carved out an important role in the league. The New York Giants quarterback is one of the best backup passers in football, both because of his on-field play and his leadership.
Big Blue made it clear just how much they value that leadership on Sunday, signing Winston to a two-year extension worth $13 million. The deal will keep him in East Rutherford through the 2028 season.
Many teams would be hesitant to sign a 32-year-old quarterback with turnover issues to a new deal, but the Giants clearly value his locker room presence enough to lock him in for the next few seasons.
Giants sign QB Jameis Winston to a 2-year contract extension
After a productive, yet inconsistent start to his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Winston has bounced around the league as a high-quality backup for the last half-decade. He spent time with the New Orleans Saints and the Cleveland Browns before joining the G-Men last offseason.
Winston was part of the three-man quarterback room that had Russell Wilson as its starter in 2025. He filled in for Jaxson Dart for two games late in the season. The Giants lost both games, with Winston throwing two touchdowns and two interceptions.
He finished his season with 567 yards on a 56.1% completion rate.
The veteran isn't the "game manager" type that many franchises look for in a backup quarterback. When he's on the field, he's going to sling the ball deep. His gunslinging style of play leads to some turnovers, but it creates more explosive plays than you're likely to see from any other backup in the NFL.
But Winston's most valuable trait has nothing to do with the way he plays football. He's a proven leader and a mentor for some of the younger players on the roster. His personality makes him easy to root for and easy to listen to. With over 100 career games under his belt, Winston can help guide players like Dart through the ups and downs of each season.
Clearly, the Giants value that leadership enough to give Winston a new contract. His new deal makes him the 32nd-highest-paid quarterback in the NFL on a yearly average basis. Even if Winston doesn't see the field in 2026 (Giants fans hope that Dart stays healthy enough to keep him sidelined), He'll fulfill his contract value.
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