It doesn’t look like Jameis Winston will see meaningful snaps for the Giants this season. In Week 2, both Wilson and Dart took the field, while Winston was listed strictly as the emergency quarterback. That alone makes him an intriguing trade chip, though there’s no guarantee the Giants will move him. The original plan was for Wilson to handle the starting job for much of the year, if not all of it.
Still, speculation is already building that Wilson could be headed for the bench sooner rather than later. If that happens, it might effectively close the book on his Giants tenure since he’s only under contract through this season. Winston, on the other hand, is on a team-friendly two-year deal and could realistically slide into a backup role behind Dart once the rookie from Ole Miss is ready to take over. Adding to the complexity is the fact that Tommy DeVito is no longer in the picture after being released, meaning the Giants don’t have much depth at quarterback beyond those three.
That’s why dealing Winston isn’t as simple as it sounds. But if the Bengals came calling with an offer say a sixth-round draft pick the Giants would have to think long and hard about it. Winston has a strong reputation as a locker-room presence, but the odds of him actually playing in New York are slim. For a rebuilding team like the Giants, flipping him for draft capital might be the smartest play.
The Cincinnati Bengals have often stumbled out of the gate in the Joe Burrow era, but this season they managed to avoid that fate by starting 2-0. Unfortunately, their good fortune quickly took a devastating turn. Burrow went down with a toe injury that is expected to sideline him for at least three months, dealing a crushing blow to the team’s hopes.
Burrow is widely regarded as one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks, and without him, the Bengals’ outlook is grim made worse by the fact that their defense has been shaky at best. Backup Jake Browning did step in and guide Cincinnati to a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars after Burrow exited, but relying on him long-term feels risky.
Because of that, it seems increasingly likely the Bengals will explore the trade market for a more reliable option under center. One name that stands out is Jameis Winston, considered by many to be the best third-string quarterback in the league, making him a logical trade target to help steady Cincinnati in Burrow’s absence.
Bengals’ trade proposal for Jameis Winston
Jameis Winston is given to the Bengals.
Sixth-round selection given to the Giants
Winston ought to be easily traded for. The Giants have little immediate or long-term need for the former No. 1 overall pick, despite his dedication to his role supporting Russell Wilson and assisting Jaxson Dart. Wilson is the starting and bridge option at the moment. Furthermore, a lot of people believe that Dart will eventually take over under center.
Winston’s talent is far too great for him to be ranked third on a depth chart. Therefore, even if it is a late-round draft pick, the Giants might as well trade him for something. Winston is one of the few possible outside quarterback signings for the Bengals that has the ability to win games.
Winston possesses a terrific deep ball and a track record of outstanding achievements. In a game against the Denver Broncos just last year, Winston threw for a Cleveland Browns record of 497 yards and four touchdowns. He is an NFL veteran with a wealth of expertise and a Heisman Award.
In the previously noted performance against Denver, Winston also had three interceptions and lost the game. And that provides an alternative perspective on the Florida State product. He has a same chance of losing a game on his own as he does of winning it.
However, the Bengals might be a better fit for him because of their high-octane offense. Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase make up one of the NFL’s top receiving tandems, so he would have one of the league’s greatest receiving corps to rely on.
Cincinnati’s defense will probably continue to allow high-scoring totals, therefore the Bengals need someone who can score a lot of points. Winston is also a good fit because he is a leader who constantly has a positive attitude. It makes sense to get a backup quarterback who won’t cause drama like Winston if the Bengals continue to use Browning as their quarterback, which is a possibility given that he has won games for the team as a starter in the past.