The New York Giants made a big move Wednesday morning. They will start veteran quarterback Jameis Winston against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Winston jumped ahead of Russell Wilson on the depth chart. This marks the first major decision by new interim head coach Mike Kafka, who took over Monday after the Giants fired Brian Daboll.
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart remains in concussion protocol after taking a hard hit during Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears. Dart cannot play until doctors clear him to return.
The Giants held a 17-10 lead before Dart left the game in the third quarter. Chicago scored two touchdowns in the fourth period to win 24-20.
Wilson replaced Dart when he got hurt. Wilson completed just three of seven passes for 45 yards. He took two sacks and could not help the offense score any touchdowns.
The Giants lost their fourth game this season after holding a double-digit lead.
Winston has not played a single snap for the Giants this season. He signed a two-year contract worth eight million dollars during the offseason.
The Giants kept him as the emergency third-string quarterback behind Wilson and Dart. Winston last played for the Cleveland Browns in 2024.
He started seven games and threw for 2,121 yards with 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The Browns went 2-5 in those starts.
The 31-year-old Winston brings energy and a strong arm to the offense. He was the first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season with Tampa Bay.
Winston led the league in passing yards in 2019 with 5,109 yards. That same year he became the first quarterback ever to throw for 30 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in one season.
Wilson started the first three games of the 2025 season. The Giants benched him in Week 4 after he struggled.
Wilson threw for just 778 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions in those three games.
Kafka’s decision to start Winston over Wilson shows the coaching staff wants a fresh approach. Wilson now sits as the third-string quarterback.
Kafka became interim head coach after the Giants dismissed Daboll following a 2-8 start. This marks the third straight year New York has started 2-8.
Daboll finished with a 20-40-1 record over four seasons. The Giants promoted Kafka, who served as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach.
Kafka worked with Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City before joining the Giants in 2022.
The quarterback change brings new hope for a struggling offense. Winston has a reputation for taking chances downfield and bringing passion to the huddle.
The Giants need someone who can spark their attack. Winston gets his first chance Sunday at home against the Packers.
Dart faces his fourth concussion evaluation this season. The rookie quarterback has impressed when healthy. He averaged more than 200 passing yards and 40 rushing yards per game in his first seven starts.
Dart also scored rushing touchdowns in five straight games before his injury. The Giants drafted Dart 25th overall in April after trading up to get him.
The Giants will watch Dart’s progress closely this week. If he clears protocol before Sunday, he could return as the starter.
But right now, all signs point to Winston taking the first snap. The Giants visit Green Bay on Sunday at 1 p.m. Eastern Time.
This quarterback shuffle shows how much has changed for the Giants in just days. A new coach made a bold choice. A veteran backup who has not played all year gets his shot.
Another veteran who started the season gets pushed aside. The Giants hope Winston can help turn their season around. They need wins badly after losing eight of their first ten games.
Kafka faces a tough job ahead. He must manage a team that has lost confidence. He must protect Dart’s health while trying to win games.
He must decide if Winston can be the answer, even for just a few weeks. The next seven games will show if Kafka can lead this team forward.
The Giants organization believes they have talent on the roster. They just need better coaching and better results. Kafka gets his chance to prove he belongs as a head coach.
Winston gets his chance to show he still has something left. For both men, Sunday’s game against Green Bay represents a fresh start and a big opportunity.
