Promoting Jameis Winston to starting quarterback unlocked the New York Giants’ first win of the season, a 12–7 victory over the Tennessee Titans following rookie Jaxson Dart’s season-ending injury against the Rams. However, despite stepping in as the leader under center, Winston’s reputation as a “backup” continues to follow him in press conferences.
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That persistent narrative created sharp friction during Wednesday’s post-practice media availability when a reporter framed a question around how backup QBs should be developed during practice reps, prompting the veteran to shut down the premise on the spot.
“I’ve never said something to that manner… Like, I don’t have any place for excuses. It’s our job, right?” Winston responded firmly. “It’s a privilege, whatever role that you get. And you keep saying backup—I’m not a backup no more. I’m a starter, so I’m getting the first team reps like the majority of them now.” Winston’s sharp correction came on the heels of the Giants trading a 2027 fifth-round draft pick to the Minnesota Vikings for third-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy on September 28, adding another arm to the depth chart behind him.
Winston explained that regardless of practice reps, a backup quarterback’s job is to stay physically and mentally prepared for any role required by the offense.
As the Giants’ current starting quarterback, Winston noted that teams naturally exhaust their energy on the starter to build chemistry and establish the squad’s competitive identity.
“When you have a starter, you have to give them and exhaust all your energy into letting them get these reps because the vision of the team and everything that comes with the development and the aura of the team is going through, you know, that guy. And when you have the opportunity to step up and do it, you make the most of it.”
The Giants’ acquisition of J.J. McCarthy added an intriguing layer to the QB dynamic, but Winston showed no signs of feeling threatened by the addition. When asked if he felt disrespected by the front office bringing in another young quarterback, the veteran called it a welcomed challenge.
“I feel challenged to get better every single day. So, I just think that’s the makeup of who I am as a person. Always looking for ways to build on the positives and eliminate the negatives,” Winston stated.
Winston even joked about inviting McCarthy into his personal workout routine, signaling his comfort as the locker room’s leader.
Winston brings extensive starting experience to New York: 90 starts across 12 NFL seasons with 156 touchdowns and over 25,000 passing yards. Despite heavy rain and poor weather conditions at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Winston completed 14 of 22 attempts for 118 passing yards to secure New York’s first win of the year.