In a stretch where the Giants needed to shed money to get under the salary cap, they ensured they’ll keep a pair of key offensive pieces for two additional years.
Backup quarterback Jameis Winston and starting left guard Jon Runyan Jr. — who were both set to become free agents following the 2026 season — agreed to two-year extensions Sunday, The Post’s Ryan Dunleavy confirmed. Winston, who was set to make $3.95 million this year, landed a $13 million deal. Runyan, whose name was floated as a potential cap casualty at the start of training camp, will make $22 million, with $21.5 million in guaranteed money. And now both veterans will remain part of the John Harbaugh-led Giants through at least 2028.
The deals also likely helped the Giants save some money in the present. Big Blue sat at around $1.18 million over the salary cap Sunday before the extensions, according to Over the Cap.
New York Giants guard Jon Runyan (76) after the Giants defeated the Dallas Cowboys 34-17 on Sunday, January 4, 2026, in East Rutherford, NJ. Bill Kostroun/New York Post
Runyan, 29, is entering his third season with the Giants, and he’s part of an offensive line that returns four starters from last season — with right guard Sisi Mauigoa the lone newcomer — protecting Jaxson Dart. And Runyan, who played for Harbaugh’s brother Jim at Michigan, went from his roster spot potentially being in jeopardy to landing a contract with an average annual value ($11 million) that exceeded his previous deal ($10 million).
The Winston extension gives the Giants some certainty behind Dart in case the worst-case scenario happens with an injury, too. During Dart’s lone preseason appearance, he briefly exited after taking a crushing hit when Tyrone Tracy Jr. missed his block, and Winston needed to enter while Dart was evaluated in the blue medical tent.
The No. 1 overall pick in 2015, Winston arrived last year as one of three new Giants quarterbacks — alongside Dart and Russell Wilson — and ended up appearing in three games. He made a pair of starts in November when Dart was injured and logged another two snaps in the Dec. 14 game. Winston completed 37 of 66 passes for 567 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, directly benefiting from then-interim head coach Mike Kafka shaking up the depth chart after Brian Daboll’s firing.
Jameis Winston of the New York Giants reacts before the start of a preseason game against the New York Jets on Friday, August 28, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Getty Images
This is a different role for Winston, who debuted back with the Buccaneers over a decade ago, made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and then threw for over 5,000 yards in 2019. He has settled into a mentorship role for Dart, helping the second-year quarterback adjust to a new system, logging critical reps with the second-team offense in training camp and ensuring the Giants offense can function when the season opens next Sunday against the Cowboys.