NFL Rumors: Giants to Play 'Best Player' Amid Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston Contracts

The New York Giants plan to "simply play the best player at the position" when deciding between Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston under center this season, according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer.

"Wilson is the likely starter. But it might be Winston. It also might wind up being the third pick," Breer wrote Wednesday.

Breer noted that having both Wilson and Winston as options gives the Giants the opportunity to potentially draft outside the quarterback position with the No. 3 pick.

Because the Giants have four picks inside the top 100, general manager Joe Schoen could use a later pick on a lower-tier quarterback prospect. Breer named Jaxson Dart or Quinn Ewers as possible targets.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that the Giants had agreed to a one-year deal with Wilson worth up to $21 million with $10.5 million guaranteed.

The Giants had previously added Winston on a two-year, $8 million deal, as reported by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero last Friday.

Before those signings, the franchise had Tommy DeVito as the only quarterback under contract.

The Giants previously took swings at other veteran quarterbacks, including Matthew Stafford and Aaron Rodgers. Schoen was willing to offer Stafford around $50 million per year before he re-signed with the Los Angeles Rams, and the Giants had "standing offers" out to Rodgers as of last week, per ESPN's Jordan Raanan.

Wilson, who missed the beginning of his lone campaign with the Pittsburgh Steelers due to a calf injury, ultimately took over the starting position from Justin Fields and started the last 11 games of the 2024 season.

Winston similarly became a midseason QB1 after stepping up for an injured Deshaun Watson with the Cleveland Browns last season, starting seven straight games before he was sidelined for the last three weeks of the regular season with a shoulder injury.

If the QB1 decision does come down to training camp, any midseason struggles could then prompt a switch to the other veteran quarterback or a potential rookie. The Giants will hope even that would provide more stability than former franchise signal caller Daniel Jones.

The Giants' long-term plans regarding the post-Jones outlook of the team's quarterback room will become clearer when the 2025 NFL draft kicks off on April 24 in Green Bay. New York currently holds eight picks, including the No. 3, No. 34, No. 65, No. 99 and No. 105 selections.