The New York Giants are preparing to turn the offense over to Jameis Winston after starter Jaxson Dart suffered a knee injury in Monday night’s 28-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams that could end his 2026 season.
Dart left the game after only seven offensive snaps, and what initially appeared likely to cost the second-year quarterback a short stretch of games was later determined to be more serious. The 23-year-old could be sidelined for the remainder of the campaign, placing Winston at the center of the Giants’ plans.
From contract extension to starting role
- Two weeks before Dart’s injury, the Giants signed Winston to a two-year extension worth $13 million.
- Head coach John Harbaugh, entering his first season in New York, praised Winston after the preseason as a capable quarterback and a locker-room leader.
- Harbaugh said every player would eventually be needed over the course of an NFL season, a remark that quickly became relevant following Dart’s exit against Los Angeles.
- Winston took over against the Rams but could not spark the offense, completing 11 of 27 throws for 111 yards with one interception.
- New York failed to score a touchdown during Winston’s more than three quarters of action.
Harbaugh said the problems against the Rams extended beyond the quarterback position. He said Winston handled the operation of the offense well after entering in difficult circumstances, but the Giants did not execute sufficiently as a full team to give themselves a chance to win.
For now, Winston will receive the opportunity the Giants envisioned when they invested in one of the league’s better-paid backup quarterbacks. He is also one of eight players on the club’s elected leadership council, alongside Dart, and carries considerable respect inside the building.
Winston’s high-risk profile
The 32-year-old Winston has not opened a full season as an NFL starter since 2019, when he led the league with 5,109 passing yards for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That season also illustrated the volatility that has followed him throughout his career: he threw 33 touchdown passes and 30 interceptions while playing for head coach Bruce Arians.
Winston remains an aggressive downfield passer. Since 2022, his average of 9.6 air yards per attempt ranks second among quarterbacks with at least 600 attempts over that span. His willingness to attack vertically has produced explosive gains, with 16.8 percent of his completions going for 20 yards or more.
It has also brought substantial risk. Winston’s 4.2 percent interception rate since 2022 is the highest among qualifying quarterbacks, while his 7.1 percent sack rate ranks 25th in that group.
Harbaugh nevertheless expressed unwavering confidence in the veteran, saying the Giants believe in every player on the roster and describing Winston as a very good football player. The coach added that injuries are an unavoidable part of the league and said teams must find a way to play through them.
Limited options if the Giants need another quarterback
If Winston struggles, New York’s alternatives may be thin. Most clubs are reluctant to part with reserve quarterbacks early in a season, particularly after the Giants’ own experience showed how quickly depth can become essential.
- Jimmy Garoppolo: The 34-year-old is among the more accomplished free agents. He owns a 43-21 record across 64 career starts, led the San Francisco 49ers to Super Bowl LIV after the 2019 season and guided them to the NFC Championship Game in 2021. Garoppolo last appeared in a regular-season game with the Rams in 2024 and did not announce a retirement after offseason speculation.
- Brandon Allen: Allen spent much of the offseason with the Giants before being released in late August. The 34-year-old knows the system and has worked extensively with Giants quarterbacks coach Brian Callahan, including stops in Cincinnati and Tennessee. Allen was most recently Cam Ward’s backup with the Titans. He is 2-8 in 10 NFL starts.
- Anthony Richardson: Richardson has not formally withdrawn the trade request he made at the start of the offseason, but Indianapolis named the former No. 4 overall pick its primary backup after training camp. Colts general manager Chris Ballard said before the season that Richardson would remain in Indianapolis for 2026.
- J.J. McCarthy: Minnesota has faced speculation about a possible move involving the former first-round selection, who is currently behind Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz on the depth chart. Vikings general manager Nolan Teasley said earlier this month that he expects McCarthy to stay on the 2026 roster.
The quarterback market can change rapidly after injuries. Indianapolis turned to 44-year-old Philip Rivers last season following Daniel Jones’ season-ending Achilles injury and Anthony Richardson’s move to injured reserve. Denver also explored whether Drew Brees could return ahead of last season’s AFC Championship Game after Bo Nix was injured, but the Hall of Fame quarterback’s workout did not lead to a comeback.
Those examples underline why the Giants moved quickly to retain Winston. With Dart’s status now in doubt, New York needs its veteran backup to stabilize the offense and turn a disappointing relief appearance against the Rams into a viable starting run.
