Giants Veterans Share Mutual Respect

When the New York Giants began their search for a starting quarterback in March, the first quarterback they signed was Jameis Winston. In signing a two-year, $8 million deal, Winston immediately became the starter, albeit temporarily.

Soon after, the Giants signed Russell Wilson. Signing for one year and $10.5 million, there was little debate about Wilson’s standing. Winston would play second fiddle.

Despite the circumstances, there’s little reason for there to be animosity and even less evidence that any exists. Both might see playing time in 2025, but their most important job is helping to develop rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.

Cultivating the best environment possible for Dart is imperative. With over two decades of experience, a Super Bowl championship, a No. 1 overall selection, and plenty of adversity between them, Dart’s mentors are equipped to set him up for success.

The Giants’ veteran quarterbacks reflected on their relationship with each other on Tuesday.

“Yeah, I've known Jameis for years, man,” Wilson said, via team transcript. “He's been awesome for years and I've gotten to know him and I think I've told you guys before, maybe once before, but Jameis and I – I watched him when he was at Florida State and we talked a couple times, my old mental coach was somebody who helped him too, Trevor Moawad, and I was super close with him. And then when Jameis got into the NFL, we spent a lot of time together at one particular Pro Bowl.”

It’s worth noting the importance of Winston’s multi-year role in the quarterback room. With a second year on his deal, he’s set to be the second-string quarterback until Dart is ready. Once he takes center stage, he may find himself inactive until 2026, where he’d return to his post as the No. 2.

Winston, a first-round pick with turnover troubles and experience as both a starter and backup, is a good voice for Dart to have in the room. Despite his playstyle, he’s widely viewed as valuable on the whiteboard. As Wilson recalled, Winston has long been a student of the game.

“He wanted to come meet, spend some time and talk life, talk ball, talk this. I shared everything I had for him, and we talked a lot, and I think we really grew close then and just have always been rooting for him. … Then fast forward, obviously being here and watching his work ethic every day, watching his detail, watching his love for the game, his love for his teammates is remarkable. It's been a great process.”

Like he’s expected to do in East Rutherford, Wilson was a gracious mentor, despite only having three more years of experience than Winston. According to his one-time understudy, he’s the same leader he was in Seattle – one that could play a critical role for New York.

“Well, I mean, he's a natural-born leader,” Winston said. “So, that's in the bag. He's still athletic, you know, no matter how old he is, he's aging like fine wine. He has a team of caregivers, a team that just supports him, that allows him to be his best. That's why he's been good for a long time. He's just, he's just a great player.”

The odds are stacked against Wilson and the Giants in 2025. But if both live up to their potential between Sundays, New York will find victories that will show up down the road.