By Jelani Scott, Dianna Russini, Jeff Howe and Charlotte Carroll
Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston will continue his career elsewhere after agreeing to terms on a deal with the New York Giants, team sources confirmed Friday.
Winston, the No. 1 overall pick in 2015, parlayed a one-year run in Cleveland into a two-year, $8 million contract with the Giants worth up to $16 million with incentives, according to a team source, giving the 31-year-old signal-caller another chance to bring his fun-loving persona and mercurial playing style to his fourth NFL team.
The 10-year veteran took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his excitement for his new opportunity shortly after the announcement. Winston was the eighth-ranked quarterback and No. 112 overall free agent in The Athletic’s top 150 list.
Start spreading the neWs 🍎
— Jameis Winston (@Jaboowins) March 21, 2025
After spending the last few seasons primarily as a backup, Winston, again, found himself as a starter in 2024 after Deshaun Watson tore his Achilles in Week 7. Winston filled in for Watson that game and started the next seven games, recording totals of 2,121 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while taking 24 sacks. The Browns (3-14) went 2-5 with Winston under center before shutting him down in the final three weeks.
Winston’s brief Browns stint appeared to give the quirky QB new life heading into free agency two years removed from leaving the New Orleans Saints, where he played 21 games and started 10 across four seasons. Winston has continued to provide value in locker rooms despite not exceeding the big expectations that followed the 2013 Heisman Trophy winner to the NFL during his first five seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The 2019 league leader in passing yards and a 2015 Pro Bowler, Winston now heads to the Big Apple looking to add to his lofty career numbers of 24,225 yards, 154 TDs and 111 interceptions in 105 games played (87 starts).
This story will be updated.
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(Photo: Perry Knotts / Getty Images)
