Former No. 1 pick Jameis Winston might wind up being the No. 3 quarterback on the New York Giants’ depth chart this season, prompting speculation he could be available in a trade as roster maneuvering ramps up the next two weeks.
“I appreciate that people are interested, but Jameis is a New York Giant,” assistant general manager Brandon Brown said Tuesday.
Winston signed a one-year deal and the Giants also brought in free agent Russell Wilson, who will begin the regular season atop the depth chart. Winston, 31, has played in 105 career games with a record of 36-51 as a starting quarterback with the Buccaneers, Saints and Browns.
Brown said he can’t put into words the impact Winston has had on a quarterback room that includes first-round rookie Jaxson Dart and third-year player Tommy DeVito.
“With the way that he’s gone about his business from day one, he’s made it very intentional with the fact that he wants to be here and he wants to be here for the long haul,” Brown said. “Teammates love him, his preparation process, whether it’s the off-field things that he does in terms of community relations, Bible study, things in the locker room, galvanizing the group together, not just the quarterback room, but the offense as a whole. He’s been comic relief, but he’s also been a really good example of how to be a pro in handling your business in terms of prehab, rehab, postgame care.”
Dart has zero turnovers, a 74.3 completion percentage (26 of 35), 291 passing yards, two TD passes and a rushing touchdown in two preseason games.
But Brown and the Giants are not eager to play Dart until they know he’s fully comfortable in more situations.
“We’re excited to continue to progress and develop him,” Brown said, adding Dart is following a plan the team devised and “it’s right on pace. We’re happy with where he’s at, and he’s encouraged. Guys cling to him. We talked about it last time. He’s got a kind of swagger and aura and element to him that he’s the everyman.”
The Giants conclude the preseason on Thursday at home against the New England Patriots, and they open the regular season on the road Sept. 7 against the Washington Commanders.
Giants: No interest in dealing QB Jameis Winston
