Call Jonathan Stewart whatever you like, but it’s clear he’s not a pessimist.
After spending the first ten seasons of his career with the Carolina Panthers, the former Pro Bowl running back signed a two-year deal, $6.9 million deal with the New York Giants this offseason. The 31-year-old Stewart spoke about the decision on Monday and gave this … wishful reason for why he signed with the G-Men, according to Matt Lombardo of NJ Advanced Media:
Jonathan Stewart on why he signed with the #Giants: I haven’t won a Super Bowl yet, and that’s something I want to do.
— Matt Lombardo (@MattLombardoNFL) May 21, 2018
True, the Giants took some huge steps in the right direction this winter by firing Ben McAdoo and Jerry Reese and bringing in Pat Shurmur and Dave Gettleman. They also found their franchise running back by picking Saquon Barkley (whom Stewart will presumably be backing up) in this year’s draft and still boast elite positional talents like Odell Beckham Jr and Landon Collins.
But nevertheless, this a team that went 3-13 last season, has major holes on both sides of the ball, and is set to continue with an aging Eli Manning under center for the foreseeable future. Las Vegas currently gives the Giants just 33/1 odds (tied for 14th in the NFL) to win it all next season.
That being said though, the veteran Stewart could have landed in a worse situation than a team that made the playoffs in 2016 and has won two Super Bowls in the last decade-plus. Who knows, maybe this marquee free agent with interest in the Giants will help bring the team closer to Stewart’s vision.
