Jameis Winston will take over as the New York Giants’ starting quarterback after Jaxson Dart suffered a knee injury that requires surgery, placing the veteran in charge of an offense that needs a response following Monday night’s 28-6 loss in Los Angeles.
What changed for the franchise
Winston entered Monday’s game after Dart was hurt and completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards with one interception. The Giants are 1-1, and Winston now has the starting role for the remainder of the regular season.
The change came sooner than New York expected. The Giants signed Winston to a two-year, $13 million extension earlier this month after valuing his experience as a reserve and his work in two starts for Dart last season. Both of those games were decided by one score.
“Starting at quarterback is something I have always wanted,” Winston said. “My respect and gratitude are with Jaxson, but this is also an opportunity I have dreamed about. My job is to execute at a high level.”
Winston said he is balancing his excitement with the responsibility of supporting Dart through the injury. He added that his immediate priorities are sound fundamentals, accurate execution and staying focused on the next snap rather than the scale of the assignment.
“I have to help keep Jaxson encouraged while also preparing to be the Giants’ starting quarterback,” Winston said. “That is where I am right now.”
The former first overall pick brings extensive starting experience, big-play arm talent and a history of volatile outcomes. His career includes a 30-touchdown, 30-interception season, and he threw for 400 yards with three interceptions, including a pick-six, in Cleveland’s 2024 loss to Denver.
For New York, the key will be getting Winston’s aggressive style under control while still allowing him to create plays. The Giants need cleaner quarterback play than they received in Los Angeles and must avoid turnovers that can put a struggling offense in difficult situations.
Winston said the focus should remain on team results rather than his personal return to a full-time starting role.
“Fans want victories,” Winston said. “This is not about what I can show anybody. It is about winning games together and giving people something to support.”
The Giants host the winless Tennessee Titans on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Tennessee enters the matchup at 0-2.
