NFL Contract Details: Winston, Runyan, Smith, Sanchez

Jaxson Dart’s knee injury has suddenly thrust Jameis Winston into the Giants’ starting quarterback job, giving the 32-year-old a significant opportunity in his 12th NFL season.

At this point, the odds of Winston performing well enough to earn another chance to be a starter next year – in New York or elsewhere – are relatively low. But there is significant financial upside in his new gig as a result of the two-year, $13MM extension he signed at the beginning of September. The deal includes $12.24MM in guaranteed money, per OverTheCap, comprised of a $3.5MM signing bonus, fully guaranteed salaries in 2026 and 2027, and $1.39MM in guaranteed salary in 2028.

Winston’s deal also contains $4MM in annual incentives (via Spotrac) based on playtime, the Giants’ postseason qualification, and his passing statistics. He is already positioned to hit his first $1MM in playtime incentives, worth $250k each for playing 40%, 50%, 60%, and 70% of the team’s regular-season snaps. Another $1MM is available in $500k installments if New York makes the playoffs provided Winston hits 55% and 70% playtime. Another $1MM is available for up to two postseason victories as long as he plays at least 55% of the snaps in each game.

Winston can also earn $1MM for reaching certain passing milestones. A 92.5 passer rating and a 65% completion rate (min. 224 passing attempts) will earn him $250k each. An 88 passer rating and 15 touchdowns is worth $250k, as is an 88 passer rating and 2,200 passing yards.

Neither Winston nor the Giants reached any of those goals last year, so all of those incentives are considered not likely to be earned and will not be charged against the 2026 salary cap. Winston’s 2027 cap number will go up based on any incentives he reaches.

• The Giants also signed guard Jon Runyan to a two-year, $22MM extension before the season. The deal includes $21.5MM in guaranteed money, per Dan Duggan of The Athletic, including a $9MM signing bonus and fully guaranteed salaries in 2026 and 2027. $2.25MM of Runyan’s 2028 salary is guaranteed for injury only; he can also receive up to $500k in per-game roster bonuses in 2027 and 2028.
• The Packers’ one-year deal with tight end Jonnu Smith includes a $1.3MM veteran-minimum salary and a $350k signing bonus, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky. The 31-year-old can earn another $350k in per-game roster bonuses to see the full $2MM value of the contract.
• Rigoberto Sanchez became the latest punter to earn $3.5MM or more per year with his two-year extension with the Colts. His $2.5MM 2026 salary is fully guaranteed, per Spotrac, and $1MM of his 2027 salary vests from an injury guarantee to a full guarantee early next offseason. He can also receive $50k for finishing with a top-five net punt average and $200k for a Pro Bowl selection. The deal also includes $1MM in per-game roster bonuses in 2026 and 2027.
• Tank Dell’s re-negotiated contract with the Texans includes new playtime incentives worth up to $1.5MM as well as $38.5k for every game in which he is active, according to KRPC2’s Aaron Wilson. The 26-year-old can earn $300k for playing 30% of Houston’s offensive snaps this season with another $300k available in 5% playtime increments up to 50%.