Jameis Winston to visit Giants on Tuesday, source confirms

Another quarterback has entered the Giants’ free-agent chat.

After holding visits with Joe Flacco and Russell Wilson last week, they’ll host another veteran in Jameis Winston on Tuesday, a league source confirmed to Newsday.

Winston threw for 2,121 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 12 games last season with the Browns. Most of those numbers came in his seven games as a starter in which he went 2-5.

The No. 1 overall pick in 2015, Winston became mostly a backup after leaving the Buccaneers following the 2019 season. He spent four seasons with the Saints from 2020-23, appearing in 21 games and going 6-4 as a starter.

At 31, Winston is younger than the other quarterbacks with whom the Giants have been linked. Aaron Rodgers is 41, Flacco 40 and Wilson 36. Winston also signed a one-year, $4 million contract last season, so he could be a cheaper alternative.

The flip side is his play can be inconsistent. In 2019, he led the league in passing yards (5,109) and interceptions (30) to go with 33 touchdown passes. It was the first time in NFL history that a quarterback had at least 30 touchdown passes and at least 30 interceptions in a single season.

In a 41-32 loss at the Broncos last season, Winston threw for 497 yards and four touchdowns but also had three interceptions. Two were returned for touchdowns, including one with 1:48 left to seal the loss.

Winston is a colorful personality known for entertaining interviews. He was must-see TV last month during the Super Bowl when he was spotted on camera going around the city and enjoying various aspects of New Orleans.

His visit is a sign that the Giants aren’t exclusively married to the idea of signing Rodgers. The Athletic reported last weekend that Rodgers is waiting to see what the Vikings do. If Rodgers goes to Minnesota, the Giants have to be ready to pivot to other options.

Giants general manager Joe Schoen said of the quarterback situation at the NFL Combine: “That is an important position, and we need better play out of that position than what we’ve had, and that will help us.”

The visit with Winston seems to confirm that the Giants are eyeing a quarterback in April’s draft. Flacco and Winston have lower ceilings than Wilson, given their struggles last season, so it means there won’t be a deviation in the team’s draft wish list.

“That’s obviously the number one issue for us going into this offseason is to find our quarterback of the future,” president/CEO John Mara said in January. “Whether that be via the draft or acquiring a veteran, it’s going to be up to [Schoen and coach Brian Daboll] to decide, ultimately.”

Giants’ Ojulari to Eagles

The Giants lost another free agent across the division as linebacker Azeez Ojulari agreed to terms with the Eagles.

According to ESPN, Ojulari signed a one-year, $4 million contract. He started five of his 11 games last season and had six sacks but missed the last six games with a toe injury.

His Giants tenure started in promising fashion after he was drafted in the second round in 2021. He had eight sacks that season, setting a franchise rookie record, but injuries kept him from reaching his potential.

He played only seven games in 2022 and 11 in 2023. He appeared in 46 games, with 30 starts, and had 22 sacks.

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.