Jameis Winston is officially a New York Giant, and he’s embracing the opportunity with open arms. After signing his contract, the veteran quarterback spoke to the media for the first time, making it clear he’s ready to compete—whether that means pushing Russell Wilson, mentoring a rookie, or proving he still has what it takes to start in the NFL.
Winston, the former No. 1 overall pick in 2015, has been through it all—starter, backup, and everything in between. He knows the Giants might not be done adding quarterbacks, but he’s not worried about it. “I knew a free agent signing was going to come or maybe even a draft pick was going to come,” he said. “But that’s their business. My business is today, and today I have the privilege of finally becoming a Giant.”
One of the biggest influences on Winston’s career was his time backing up Drew Brees in New Orleans. He called it “one of the greatest experiences” of his NFL journey, learning from Brees’ consistency, preparation, and ability to master the little things. That experience has shaped his mindset, and he’s ready to take on a leadership role in New York, even if that means helping a young quarterback develop. “Catering to a young quarterback and serving them would be something that I would definitely take on with a great responsibility and cherish it,” he said.
Beyond football, Winston connected with head coach Brian Daboll on a personal level. “When I got to really understand his upbringing, where he comes from and what he was about… that similarity brought me even closer to him,” Winston said, noting that both of them were raised by their grandmothers. He also praised Daboll’s creativity as a play-caller and his ability to adapt an offense to fit his quarterback’s strengths.
Winston didn’t waste time getting familiar with his new teammates either. He spoke highly of the Giants’ young playmakers, including Malik Nabers, Wan’Dale Robinson, Theo Johnson, and Jalin Hyatt, calling them “young superstars.” He also highlighted veterans like Darius Slayton and Devin Singletary, showing that he’s done his homework on the offense.
As for his relationship with Wilson, Winston says there’s already a level of mutual respect. The two shared a connection through the late Trevor Moawad, a mental conditioning coach who influenced both of their careers. “Our mental approach can be very similar because one of our mental coaches was definitely life-changing for him and very influential with me as well,” Winston said.
While it remains to be seen what Winston’s exact role will be, one thing is clear—he’s ready for anything. Whether it’s pushing Wilson for the starting job, guiding a rookie, or stepping in when needed, Winston is embracing his fresh start in New York.
