Giants GM Joe Schoen says deals for Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston increase team's draft options
Giants GM Joe Schoen speaks to the media during training camp at the Quest Diagnostics Center on July 24, 2024. Credit: Corey Sipkin
PALM BEACH, Fla. — The Giants rode the quarterback carousel this offseason hoping to find the best option. They landed Russell Wilson, but not before pursuing Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers.
At the NFL’s annual meetings Monday, general manager Joe Schoen sounded content with signing Wilson and Jameis Winston. With Stafford re-signing with the Rams and Rodgers still deciding on his options, Schoen pivoted to Wilson after the two sides met on March 14.
“That was one of the plans as we went through it . . . where if we end up with Russell and Jameis, like we’re good with that,” Schoen said. “We did have conversations with other quarterbacks on other teams and this is where we landed.”
Wilson will take first-team reps when the Giants return for offseason workouts right before the NFL Draft on April 24-26.
Schoen said the Giants offered Wilson a contract during his visit. During the 11-day negotiation, they were upfront with Winston about Wilson being an option, and it didn’t affect Winston’s decision to sign before Wilson’s agreement was announced last Tuesday.
By adding two quarterbacks, there’s more flexibility for the Giants heading into the draft. Schoen said the team doesn’t have to draft a quarterback at No. 3 or later if one doesn’t check all the boxes.
“We like to go into the draft being ready to play a game,” Schoen said. “Russ again, winning record last year, threw 16 touchdowns. I don’t think we’ve had somebody do that since 2019. Ten-time Pro Bowler, so, excited to get him, leadership. He played well in stretches last year.”
Schoen also touted Wilson’s durability; he’s started at least 14 games in every season but one. That one, however, was last season, when Wilson missed training camp and the Steelers’ first six games with a calf injury.
With Wilson turning 37 this November, is that a concern?
“It’s football. There’s muscle strains, there’s breaks, there’s all that stuff, so it’s hard to predict that,” Schoen said.Over his career, he has shown a lot of resiliency and toughness and hasn’t missed a lot of games.''
As for the draft, Schoen said the Giants still could take a quarterback, but they’re committed to multiple options. Last week, Schoen and team personnel — minus coach Brian Daboll — were at Miami watching quarterback Cam Ward during his pro day. On Friday, they’ll be at Colorado’s pro day to scout quarterback Shedeur Sanders and cornerback/receiver Travis Hunter. Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter is another candidate.
Wilson’s one-year contract and Winston’s two-year deal leave the Giants needing a long-term quarterback option. However, they are at the mercy of what the Titans and Browns do with the Nos. 1 and 2 picks, respectively.
That’s why, Schoen said, they got security by signing two quarterbacks while still gathering information on prospects.
“It doesn’t force you into a corner or force you to have to take something based on need,” Schoen said. “So it gives us optionality to go many different directions.”
Wilson said last week that he didn’t come to the Giants to be only a mentor. Though he’s fine doing it, his primary goal is to win games as the starter.
“I just believe that when you play this position, my goal every day is to step on the field and help our football team win and ultimately to be the best in the world and be one of the best that can do it,” Wilson said.
For now, Schoen seems satisfied with the upgrades at quarterback. It’s up to him to decide whether to add another one, even if there’s less urgency to do so.
“We’ve set it up where we don’t have to,” Schoen said. “You want to put [someone] in there and say, hey, here’s our franchise quarterback for the next 15 years. There’s got to be one available, and they’ve got to check a lot of boxes.”
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.
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