The Giants needed someone — anyone — to play quarterback for them in 2025.

And now they have someone, at least — Jameis Winston, who on Friday signed a two-year, $8 million contract with them. This is backup money. Winston’s deal surely is just a one-year commitment — for a decent amount less than $8 million.

Bottom line: This is the ultimate quarterback safety net signing by Joe Schoen, the Giants’ desperate fourth-year general manager.

He couldn’t just keep hoping and waiting for Aaron Rodgers to pick the Giants. And Schoen’s only quarterback before the Winston signing was Tommy DeVito — who isn’t an NFL-level backup, let alone starter material.

Still, Winston being the Giants’ No. 1 quarterback option entering 2025 would be the absolute worst-case scenario for them. Just look at that modest contract. That’s what the Giants think of Winston — who very well might be a dynamic leader, but isn’t in demand right now across the NFL. (If he was, he wouldn’t have signed a deal like this.)

It’s not just hoping and waiting for Rodgers, who the Giants would still love to land (even though it seems likely he will wisely pick the Steelers). Schoen also isn’t guaranteed of getting Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders in this year’s draft, since he picks third, behind the Titans and Browns.

So again, Schoen had to do something — anything — to secure a quarterback who at least has starting experience. And that’s what Winston gives him, even though Winston is not a great option, all things considered. Still, he is a decent safety net, if nothing else.

Let’s presume the Titans stay at No. 1 and pick Ward. In that scenario, it’s certainly possible Sanders falls to the Giants at No. 3 — but it’s not a lock. So Schoen has to prepare for missing out on Ward and Sanders, especially since it now seems likely he will miss out on Rodgers.

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.

Darryl Slater may be reached at dslater@njadvancemedia.com.