The New York Giants revamped their quarterback room this offseason by signing veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency and then selecting Jaxson Dart in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft.
We know that general manager Joe Schoen attempted (to no avail) to trade up to the No. 1 slot in the first round to take Miami quarterback Cam Ward, but what wasn’t known was the team’s preference between Winston and Wilson in free agency.
The Giants ended up with both, but not after exploring nearly every open possibility. Wilson, who heads into camp as the team’s starter, was very much an afterthought initially, reports Paul Schwartz of the New York Post.
There is no doubt Wilson was not the apple of the Giants’ eye. General manager Joe Schoen wanted to trade for Matthew Stafford, then preferred to sign Aaron Rodgers before moving onto the third choice, giving Wilson a one-year contract for $10.5 million, with incentives baked in that could double that money.
The Giants entered this short-term commitment with their eyes wide open, quietly acknowledging there were warts on all the quarterback options and cognizant that Wilson was essentially run out of the building in Seattle, Denver and Pittsburgh before landing in New Jersey. There are those inside the franchise who preferred Jameis Winston to Wilson, in terms of how they came off in their visits before both signed with the Giants.
The Giants signed Wilson before Winston, a player many teams would prefer to avoid due to his spotty record. But, Winston can be seen as a player with a higher ceiling when hot, so it’s understandable since the Giants were just looking for a veteran to keep the seat warm for Dart that some in the front office liked Winston over Wilson.
Not to mention, Wilson’s personality can be interpreted in many ways by his teammates. Some liked him while others were not fans.
So far with the Giants, a team that is so desperate to win, Wilson has been a breath of fresh air. They are willing to forego his shortcomings in exchange for becoming a competitive team again.
Winston also brings a new outlook to the team. Schoen is known for his doggedness when it comes to acquiring personnel. It remains to be seen if he’s added too much newness to the Giants this offseason.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Report: Some in Giants organization preferred Jameis Winston to Russell Wilson
Reporting by John Fennelly, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
