Many didn’t know what to expect when the New York Giants announced they were signing free agent quarterback Jameis Winston to a two-year, $8 million deal this past March.

Winston, the former Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft, has had a rollercoaster of a career as a pro, first with Tampa Bay and then with New Orleans and Cleveland. He’s had a load of highs, but he’s had as many lows as well.

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The Giants were signing him as a backup to another veteran addition, 10-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson, after several years of uncertainty under center. General manager Joe Schoen wanted stability at the quarterback position.

So, why was Schoen bringing in Winston of all people? He had a reputation for erratic behavior on and off the field.

It turns out Winston is no longer the young derring-doer who plays and lives by the seat of his pants. He is a stable veteran who has learned a great deal of what to do and what not to do in this league.

In a recent interview with Ryan Clark of The Pivot, Winston explains that he has changed over time and is now a much mature, intelligent, and responsible person.

“I literally just changed through patience,” said Winston. “Not being a person who reacts to certain situations but learning how to respond and letting things play out in front of me.”

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Winston is the perfect bridge between Wilson and rookie Jaxson Dart. He knows why he’s here and has embraced his role. He is ready to jump in and spell Wilson, and mentor Dart at the same time.

“I tell him it’s one day at a time. The NFL is the only league where yesterday and tomorrow literally don’t matter,” Winston told reporters this week at the Giants’ training camp. “Even practices, like there have been times where you could be — I feel like Week 1 is always the funniest week because in Week 1, you have so many people be like, ‘This team is about to win a Super Bowl.’ And then the next week they lose, ‘Oh, that team sucks. That team is a pretender.’

“Like all that different type of stuff and I tell him all of the time, ‘Hey man, it’s a new day. Be grateful for it. Be glad and rejoice in it.’ Because literally, that’s the NFL. One play at a time, one day at a time, and that’s all you can focus on.”

Winston said that. He knows because he’s made all of the mistakes. But he’s learned from them and now the Giants and Dart are benefiting.

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This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants’ Jameis Winston explains his character transformation