With NFL training camps underway, key storylines across the league have recently contributed to a list of 15 NFL trade candidates this summer. Pro Football Focus recently added New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston to the conversation.
“The Giants are likely to start either Russell Wilson or first-round pick Jaxson Dart, leaving Winston as the team’s presumptive QB3,” PFF’s Bradley Locker wrote this week. “New York could keep the former first overall pick in that role, but Winston figures to be most teams’ top trade target when a quarterback injury inevitably happens.”
New York’s front office added Winston this offseason after wrapping up the Daniel Jones era halfway through the 2024 NFL season. Rumors suggested that Winston had support as the potential starter for the 2025 NFL season. The Giants flipped the script when they signed Russell Wilson to a short-term deal as well.
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Both veterans have plenty of experience as starters in the league. Wilson spent a large chunk of his career with the Seattle Seahawks, while Winston was the top pick for the Tampa Bay Buccanneers after starring at Florida State.
At this point, Winston and Wilson are running out of chances to gain a long-term starting job in the league. Fortunately for the Giants, Winston has seemingly embraced a backup role in New York this year. However, he proved last year that he could still be productive when called on, starting in seven games for the Cleveland Browns.
Not every starting seat in the league is guaranteed for the entire year. With unproven passers and injuries potentially causing shakeups, Winston could certainly be a top target in mind for teams who would be on the hunt for a player with a lot of experience.
Being in the NFL since 2015, Winston has appeared in over 100 games. He has 87 starts under his belt and has thrown for over 24,000 yards and 154 touchdowns.
The Giants are committed to Wilson as the starter at the beginning of camp. Right now, Jaxson Dart is competing with Winston for the backup role, but it seems the veteran has the edge as of now. If Wilson were to struggle or go down, while the Giants are still playing well, Winston would be the logical backup.
If New York struggles as a team, and it’s clear the season could be lost, Dart would likely leapfrog Winston on the depth chart, as getting the rookie first-rounder early experience could be a great opportunity for the Giants’ future franchise quarterback.
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