Tag: jameis winston

New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) and quarterback Russell Wilson (3) interact during minicamp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

Giants list Jaxson Dart as QB2, not Jameis Winston

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart is listed as the backup quarterback behind New York Giants starter Russell Wilson on the team’s unofficial Week 1 depth chart.

Dart, selected 25th overall out of Ole Miss, is listed ahead of 10-year veteran Jameis Winston after a promising preseason and training camp. New York opens the regular season on Sunday on the road against the Washington Commanders.

The Giants had the day off Tuesday. Head coach Brian Daboll and Wilson are scheduled to meet with the media on Wednesday.

Dart, 22, was 32-of-47 passing for 372 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in the preseason and rushed for a TD against the New York Jets, igniting optimism around a position that became a trainwreck in 2024.

Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen moved on from Daniel Jones in November after he requested his release in response to being benched. Daboll and the Giants ran into more trouble when Tommy DeVito, Drew Lock and Tim Boyle failed to produce. New York lost 11 of its final 12 games in 2024, when it finished 3-14.

Daboll has committed to 36-year-old Wilson, a free-agent signee on his third team in three seasons, as the Giants’ starter. Wilson and Winston, 31, were signed for different roles, with Daboll and Schoen made clear early in the offseason.

–Field Level Media

Aug 16, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston (19) calls a play at the line against the New York Jets during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Giants: No interest in dealing QB Jameis Winston

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former No. 1 pick Jameis Winston might wind up being the No. 3 quarterback on the New York Giants’ depth chart this season, prompting speculation he could be available in a trade as roster maneuvering ramps up the next two weeks.

“I appreciate that people are interested, but Jameis is a New York Giant,” assistant general manager Brandon Brown said Tuesday.

Winston signed a one-year deal and the Giants also brought in free agent Russell Wilson, who will begin the regular season atop the depth chart. Winston, 31, has played in 105 career games with a record of 36-51 as a starting quarterback with the Buccaneers, Saints and Browns.

Brown said he can’t put into words the impact Winston has had on a quarterback room that includes first-round rookie Jaxson Dart and third-year player Tommy DeVito.

“With the way that he’s gone about his business from day one, he’s made it very intentional with the fact that he wants to be here and he wants to be here for the long haul,” Brown said. “Teammates love him, his preparation process, whether it’s the off-field things that he does in terms of community relations, Bible study, things in the locker room, galvanizing the group together, not just the quarterback room, but the offense as a whole. He’s been comic relief, but he’s also been a really good example of how to be a pro in handling your business in terms of prehab, rehab, postgame care.”

Dart has zero turnovers, a 74.3 completion percentage (26 of 35), 291 passing yards, two TD passes and a rushing touchdown in two preseason games.

But Brown and the Giants are not eager to play Dart until they know he’s fully comfortable in more situations.

“We’re excited to continue to progress and develop him,” Brown said, adding Dart is following a plan the team devised and “it’s right on pace. We’re happy with where he’s at, and he’s encouraged. Guys cling to him. We talked about it last time. He’s got a kind of swagger and aura and element to him that he’s the everyman.”

The Giants conclude the preseason on Thursday at home against the New England Patriots, and they open the regular season on the road Sept. 7 against the Washington Commanders.

–Field Level Media

Jul 24, 2025; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) looks to pass during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Giants’ Daboll: Jaxson Dart’s camp ‘much like all the rookies’

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The New York Giants have one of the deeper and more intriguing quarterback rooms in the NFL, but coach Brian Daboll is firm in his stance that Russell Wilson is the team’s starter.

The Giants signed veteran Jameis Winston, selected Jaxson Dart in the first round and also have Tommy DeVito entering his third NFL season. But Wilson has continued to validate why Daboll put any quarterback controversy to rest by naming him the starter last week.

“He’s done this for a long time. He’s had a really good camp since he’s been here. And then the other three guys have done a great job too,” Daboll said. “I like our quarterback room. They’re working hard, they’re going out every day. They’re doing the things they need to do. It’s a good group to be around.”

Dart was selected with the 25th overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss, but is not yet ready to threaten Wilson, the 10-time Pro Bowl selection who signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract in March. Dart is still learning the ropes of the NFL as he goes through his first training camp.

“Much like all the rookies, first training camp, some good, some things to improve on, but he’s got the right mindset,” Daboll said. “He’s here real late. He works. It’s good to see him kind of finish a drive two days ago, throwing it where he needs to throw it, keep working with him.”

With three veterans along with Dart, one of the biggest challenges is splitting practice snaps. The Giants need to get Winston prepared as Wilson’s likely backup to begin the season, but Daboll also needs to develop Dart. That leads to situations like in Friday’s practice where Winston gave way to Dart during a late offensive drive.

“I think Kaf (Mike Kafka) and Shane (Bowen) have done a nice job of divvying up the reps the way we need to divvy them up,” Daboll said. “Sometimes they don’t even know when they’re going in or the offensive coaches don’t know when I’m switching them either.

“That was a situation there at the end where Jameis was taking a rack and I just threw Dart in there. Try to keep the coaches on their toes and the quarterbacks so they can practice numerous situations.”

Daboll isn’t committing to Winston as the primary backup just four days into training camp, but he did note the former No. 1 overall pick’s confidence in his arm and fearlessness in pushing the ball downfield.

Winston has thrown 111 career interceptions to go with 154 touchdowns, but is known for his ability to shake off mistakes. Daboll called it a “no fear mentality,” but also said the coaching staff continues to work on Winston’s footwork, timing and overall grasp of the offense.

Not all that much different than Dart, who Daboll will continue to be creative with in how he develops during camp.

“Whether it’s a situation or putting him in after a bad play or giving him a pressure that he might have not seen. You try to give him as much as you can give him so that each day you can learn from it,” Daboll said. “If there’s a good play that you have, you go ahead and give him positive reinforcement. And when there’s a play that maybe wasn’t executed the exact right way, you try to get another look at that sometime down the line and keep (tabs) on where they’re at.

“We do that with all the quarterbacks, but certainly with Jaxson.”

–Field Level Media

East Rutherford, NJ -- June 5, 2025 -- Quarterback, Jaxson Dart as the New York Giants players participate in their 2025 OTAs at the Quest Diagnostic Giants Training Center in East Rutherford.

Giants OC: Team targeted QB Jaxson Dart ‘relatively early’

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Before the New York Giants’ organized team activity session Thursday ended abruptly with a fight, the team’s trio of quarterbacks cycled through their reps and a pecking order began to take shape.

Russell Wilson practiced with the team’s projected starters, but rookie Jaxson Dart took over for him for one rep with the ones and spent the rest of the day with the twos. Jameis Winston practiced for the third-teamers, other than for one rep with the twos.

Wilson praised Dart Thursday while dodging a question about what it will mean to have a first-round pick working behind him. Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka revealed that New York zeroed in on the former Ole Miss quarterback “relatively early” in the draft evaluation process.

“I would say it was relatively early just because you get — the more touchpoints you have with him, the more confidence you get and the more you see him fitting into your system and your scheme,” Kafka said.

“And so I felt really confident about how he operated, how he studied, how he prepared, how he handled himself. And then at the end of the day, his tape and the way he performed in those meetings.”

While the Giants were seen as a possibility to take Shedeur Sanders with the No. 3 overall pick, they instead fell in love with Dart and traded back into the first round (No. 25 overall) to make him the second QB selected behind first overall pick Cam Ward.

“You watch the explosive plays, you watch how he operates in the two-minute drills and under pressure, under duress,” Kafka said. “You see some of the off-schedule, off-platform plays he has and you kind of watch that together and put together a report.

“Those are things that stood out to me. His ability to kind of play within the pocket, play outside the pocket, QB run game, things like that.”

Kafka is known for having worked with Patrick Mahomes early in his Kansas City Chiefs career. There, Kafka was the quarterbacks coach; in New York, he’s the offensive coordinator, but he’ll be plenty involved with Dart’s development all the same.

“Just being the quarterback coach, you’re in that room with them. You’re coaching them just on the specific job of the quarterback, versus the offensive coordinator putting the whole picture together for the Qs,” Kafka explained. “Being in those meetings with the quarterbacks and explaining my intent for a play or my vision for what that play could be or what the offense could look like and how we’re going to attack certain things, just being out in front of that with the quarterbacks is always good information.”

Kafka also praised Wilson for his “leadership” and “command” at his previous stops in Seattle, Denver and Pittsburgh, though the latter two chapters of his career were nowhere near as fruitful as his time with the Seahawks.

“You see the competitiveness that he brings, the demeanor that he brings,” Kafka said. “… It’s a new offense for him and he’s played a lot of football, so a lot of these plays are similar to what he knows. Just getting him on the same page terminology-wise. But he’s doing a great job and I’m excited to have him.”

When asked, Wilson did not offer up his reaction to the Giants trading up for Dart in April, not long after they signed both him and Winston.

“Yeah, Jaxson’s been great, man. He’s a great worker, great teammate,” Wilson said. “We’re having fun, all of us. We have a really good quarterback room. Guys are so focused and working diligently every day. He’s going to be an extremely, extremely good talent and everything else throughout his career.”

The former Super Bowl champion said Dart being the QB2 “doesn’t change anything at all” for him.

“I think the biggest thing is for me is just being my best every day, leading,” Wilson said. “I always think about just leading everybody, just leading every room, every moment, every time I get to step between the white lines and the opportunity of that.

“We had a great dinner the other night, all the guys, all the O-line and quarterbacks and running backs together. We just had a good time, just tons of laughs and a good time together. So just I think the fellowship of it all is the best part right now. Obviously, our work ethic and what we’re doing in the field. But when it comes to just the tight-knit culture that we’re continuing to build and continue to grow, and we want to have a championship football team, and in terms of our mentality and our approach and how we go about it.”

–Field Level Media

Feb 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Jameis Winston and his wife Brieon Winston on the red carpet before Super Bowl LIX NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Jameis Winston ‘ready for anything’; Giants not ruling out QB at No. 3

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Though the New York Giants have signed both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston this spring, another quarterback early in the draft is not off the table.

However, general manager Joe Schoen made clear he isn’t going to “force” taking a quarterback that early in the draft, setting a high bar for such a selection.

“Yeah, if you’re talking about where we’re picking, you’d like that guy to be able to be a franchise quarterback that you can win with, you’re winning the NFC East every year,” Schoen said. “The ultimate goal is to win a Super Bowl if you’re taking a guy that high, so they have to be able to check (all) those boxes.”

Schoen added that the Giants are in a position to take the best player available at No. 3, regardless of position.

The Giants are picking behind the Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns, two quarterback-needy teams, and Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders are the two QB prospects universally projected to be high picks.

Giants owner John Mara said at the start of the offseason that finding a “quarterback of the future” was their No. 1 priority. Since then, New York signed ex-Super Bowl champion Wilson, 36, and former No. 1 overall pick-turned-journeyman Winston, 31.

Wilson said in his introductory press conference that he expects to be New York’s starter. Schoen said Monday that the team didn’t guarantee to Wilson that it wouldn’t also draft a quarterback.

“I didn’t tell him what we’re going to do at (Pick) 3, but I said we’re open to everything,” Schoen said. “So yeah, you can’t give a promise that you’re not going to take a certain position or something like that. That’s not fair.

“We can go any which direction. We can go play a game right now. So, it doesn’t force you into a corner or force you to have to take something based on needs, so gives us optionality to go many different directions.”

Winston met with reporters Monday and said he was looking for a team that could offer a starting or “bridge” quarterback role. The Giants signed him before adding Wilson.

“My role was explained to me as there is an opportunity at the quarterback position that we’re looking forward to getting better at,” Winston said. “I signed up for that because I’m looking forward to getting better and being my very best self myself.

“So that’s how was it. I didn’t get a clean explanation of my role because I played so many different roles already. I’ve played every role that the quarterback room has to offer, so I’m ready for anything.”

Winston said he had a good relationship with Wilson, revealing that Wilson once let him have a look at how “Russ ran his enterprise, ran his businesses, how he took care of his body and how he trained and what did he do to go into his mental approach.”

If the Giants add a quarterback in the draft, at No. 3 or in a later round, Winston will be happy to play the mentor.

“Me having that experience, being in rooms with great veteran quarterbacks such as Ryan Fitzpatrick, being in rooms with … Derek Carr, Deshaun Watson last year, having the chance to mentor Dorian Thompson-Robinson when he had a chance to get back in his starting role with the Cleveland Browns. I’ve been able to learn so many different things from my time, my career,” Winston said.

“So catering to a young quarterback and serving them would be something that I would definitely take on with a great responsibility and cherish it.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) throws a pass during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Reports: Giants sign QB Jameis Winston to 2-year deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New York Giants are signing quarterback Jameis Winston to a two-year, $8 million contract, according to multiple media reports Friday.

Winston is a 10-year veteran with 87 career starts under his belt. He spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2019, Winston simultaneously led the league in passing attempts (626), passing yards (5,109) and interceptions (30); he finished second in passing touchdowns (33).

After a four-year stint with the New Orleans Saints, Winston played for the Cleveland Browns in 2024. He started seven games, guiding them to a 2-5 record. He threw for 2,121 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Winston, 31, becomes the second signal-caller on the Giants’ roster, joining 26-year-old Tommy DeVito. The franchise is still connected to four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. In addition, they hold the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Winston gives them stability under center. He can be injury insurance behind the 41-year-old Rodgers or a potential bridge option to allow a young quarterback time to develop.

–Field Level Media

Dec 15, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston (5) calls signals against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Jameis Winston goes from QB1 to inactive for Browns

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Jameis Winston won’t be backing up new starting quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson for the Cleveland Browns at the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

The Browns (3-11) listed Winston on the inactive list as the emergency third quarterback. The quarterback was questionable on Friday’s injury report with a right shoulder injury after being a full participant in practice on Wednesday and limited the following two days.

Winston is 2-5 as Cleveland’s starter this season.

Bailey Zappe, who went 4-4 as a starter for the New England Patriots over the past two seasons, will back up Thompson-Robinson. Zappe hasn’t played in a game with the Browns.

Tight end David Njoku is active without an injury designation. He was listed as questionable due to a hamstring injury on Friday’s report.

Also out for the Browns on Sunday are wide receiver Cedric Tillman, cornerbacks Kahlef Hailassie and Chigozie Anusiem, and defensive linemen Shelby Harris and Cameron Thomas.

For the Bengals (6-8), standout defensive end Sam Hubbard is out Sunday due to a PCL injury that could end his season. Also inactive are quarterback Logan Woodside, wide receiver Charlie Jones, offensive lineman Orlando Brown Jr., tight end Tanner Hudson and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins.

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) throws the ball during warm ups before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Reports: Browns turn to Dorian Thompson-Robinson at QB

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dorian Thompson-Robinson will take over at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in place of Jameis Winston, beginning with Sunday’s road game against the , Cincinnati Bengals, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

Thompson-Robinson, a fifth-round draft pick in 2023 out of UCLA, has come off the bench in four games this season, completing 15 of 34 passes for 100 yards and three interceptions.

The 25-year-old made starts in three of his eight appearances as a rookie last season, completing 53.6 percent of his passes for 440 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. A concussion led to Joe Flacco taking over in Week 14.

In addition to the concussion, Thompson-Robinson dealt with shoulder and hip injuries in 2023.

Known for his mobility, Thompson-Robinson has 125 yards rushing in 20 attempts the past two seasons.

Taking over for an injured Deshaun Watson in Week 8, Winston went 2-5 as Cleveland’s starter. He has completed 61.1 percent of his passes this season for 2,121 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Eight of those picks have come in the past three weeks as the Browns went 0-3.

–Field Level Media