Jameis Winston thanks Saquon Barkley for steering him toward Giants in free agency

Jameis Winston thanks Saquon Barkley for steering him toward Giants in free agency

Saquon Barkley may want to ask Jameis Winston for a cut of his deal with the Giants after the quarterback said on Monday that the Eagles running back’s suggestion to him at the Super Bowl helped open up the door for the union. 

Winston and Barkley had gone viral during Super Bowl Opening Night when the then-free agent turned temporary Fox Sports correspondent tried to elicit some advice from the soon-to-be Super Bowl champ. 

“I think New York needs a quarterback right now,” Barkley said at the time before clarifying he was talking about the Giants. 

Fast-forward nearly two months later, and Winston was grinning from ear to ear as he was formally introduced as a member of the Giants. 

“I don’t believe in coincidences, but when he threw the Giants out there, it really gave me and my team a look that like, ‘Hmm, what they doing over there? What is their vision and to pursue the Giants,’ ” Winston said during a news conference via Zoom on Monday. “I’m not saying I should be hiring Saquon as my agent, but what I am saying is that he has good decisions. With him coming off the Super Bowl, his connection to New York, I’m pretty sure the fans aren’t happy, but I’m pretty sure what he said about the fans enjoying me, I think that gave them a little more excitement.” 

Jameis Winston
Jameis Winston SNYGiants/X

Winston is joining the Giants likely in a backup role to Russell Wilson and potentially as a mentor to a rookie QB, depending on who the Giants select in the draft in just a few weeks.

The 31-year-old veteran told reporters on Monday that he was well aware of the circumstances when he signed his two-year, $8 million deal with the Giants. 

While Winston said that a clear role hadn’t been defined for him during the process, he felt that the Giants offered him the best opportunity to be a starter or a bridge quarterback “in the future.”

It was also Big Blue’s willingness to have Winston in for a visit that stuck with the QB. 

“With Aaron [Rodgers] and Russ holding up the market from the beginning of the free agency, it was tough. A lot of teams had committed to them,” Winston explained. “Had their hopes and dreams of getting those two guys or other guys in the future. This team was one of the few teams that gave me an opportunity. That wanted to have me in. Wanted me to see the building, connect with coach [Brian] Daboll and just see what the Giants were all about. 

“I took that to heart and I’m happy that Saquon put that energy in the air for me to come to the Big Apple and be a G-Man.” 

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley carries the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025.
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley carries the Vince Lombardi Trophy after the NFL Super Bowl 59 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. AP

The Giants re-signed Ty Summers, who played 16 games in 2024 and filled a valuable role on special teams. Summers, 29, did start two games late in the season and had 11 tackles in a victory over the Colts.

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