The New York Giants could be starting their third quarterback of the 2025 season.
It was announced Wednesday morning that interim head coach Mike Kafka named Jameis Winston the Giants’ QB2 behind Jaxson Dart. That means that if Dart doesn’t clear the concussion protocol by Sunday, Winston will be starting against the Green Bay Packers.
The Giants return home to host the Packers following yet another defensive collapse in which the Giants blew a double-digit lead against the Chicago Bears. Winston’s message to Giants’ fans, however, is a positive one — as we’d expect from the charismatic former No.1 pick.
“I just want [Giants fans] to be excited,” Winston said. “Come ready. Expect us to give it all we got. Just like y’all. Just like when the Giants fans come up. We know we’re going to feel them. We know that we’re going to receive them. Receive us with open arms and we’re going to give you what you desire.”
And what does Winston think fans desire? The same thing as the media, players, coaches, and ownership: A win.
Winston is adamant that the players are focused on winning and wants to deliver one to the city he’s embraced.
“I think we are just ready for a win,” Winston said. “And I think that’s the consensus, even with you guys. I mean, I think it’s tough when you guys don’t get a win. So, I think this city, this stadium, we are willing to do any and everything for the New York Football Giants to be celebrating at the end of the day.”
Winning, of course, is never easy in the NFL. And it won’t be this week with the Green Bay Packers coming to town. This is a classic matchup between two of the oldest flagship franchises in the NFL. And while the Packers are coming off of a two-game losing streak, Winston isn’t taking them for granted. Instead, he’s focused on the Giants.
“We know a good football team is coming in, but it’s not about them,” he said. “It’s about us playing our very best. And it’s not about our circumstance, conditions, and facts with our coach and with new changes. It’s about us being grateful for the Maras, giving us this opportunity to put on a uniform, like this is what we signed up for. So whether we’re 10-0 or 2-7 or 2-8, we signed up to do this. So, we have to be willing to do more than what we’re required to do when they gave us this opportunity.”
The Giants are dealing with a lengthy injury report, and will be without some of their best players when they take the field against the Packers. That includes Dart, but Winston wants fans to know that he’ll be giving them his all, even as a backup.
“I want fans to know that I’m going to do my best,” he said. “Obviously, I’m going to have fun. But I’m going to execute, have a surgical execution, and just play ball, man. Like, this is something I’ve been doing since I’ve been four years old. I just get to do it in the greatest city in the world. I’m going to be singing it with my son. It’s the greatest city in the world. Yeah, that’s a Hamilton reference, if y’all don’t know. A 10-year reunion.”
Winston didn’t know that this opportunity would come. It was a surprise when Dart — and not Winston — was named Russell Wilson’s backup to start the year. And even when Dart took over for Wilson, Winston remained QB3 on the depth chart and the team’s emergency QB on game days. It’s possible that the 31-year old wouldn’t have seen the field at all this year. And considering he’s under contract with the Giants for the 2026 year as well, It was possible that he might not have played another regular season snap had Dart not been injured and Brian Daboll fired.
For his part, Winston didn’t allow that thought to enter his mind. He insists that even if he wasn’t on the field, he was still taking mental reps on the side.
“I never thought about that,” Winston said. “I never thought about not playing another game because that’s what I attract. And every time I’m on the sideline, do you see me on the sideline? I might not be on the field, but I’m playing the game. You know what I’m saying? That’s just the love and passion that I have for this game, man. Like, I’m always playing the game. Now, I might not be playing the game physically and don’t you say that we’re not speaking that. But I’m playing the game. Every single game I’m out there prepared to play.”
“I’ve been waiting on this moment, man,” Winston added. “So, the shock was off, the rust is off. It’s like, hey, you get to play. And when you get to play, nothing else matters but taking it one play at a time and doing your very best. Because we all have different circumstances, conditions, and facts and I know that. But, man, I’m extremely grateful. I choose to focus on what’s true and that’s my mentality, that’s my opportunity, being able to lead this team, and that’s my action. So going out there, being energetic, enthusiastic, serving every single way that I can, and playing the best football I possibly can play.”
Assuming Dart doesn’t clear the concussion protocol by Sunday, Winston will lead the Giants against a talented and well-coached team in the Green Bay Packers. They may be coming off of a two-game losing streak, but the Packers are still one of the top teams in the NFL. It’ll be up to Winston to galvanize the team and be their leader. His solution? Be a man of action to drive the team forward.
“In times like this it’s just action,” he said. “Who’s going to focus on being the solution? Who’s going to focus on doing all that they can do to be the solution for this team? And me, I’m just taking it one day at a time, one play at a time, and I’m encouraging everyone else, just do your best.”
“That’s all the fans want,” he added. “The fans just want us to come out there and do our very best. And when we come out and execute and do our very best, we’re a tough team to beat.”
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