Jameis Winston is set to make his 90th NFL start as he replaces Jaxson Dart, who is out for the remainder of the season due to knee surgery. Winston, who was previously the backup, expressed confidence in his ability to lead the New York Giants. "I am very confident in my ability to execute with precision and to lead the New York football Giants to victories," Winston stated after practice on Wednesday, where he took first-team reps. The Giants signed Winston to a two-year extension worth $13 million earlier this month, indicating their belief in his leadership and skills as a backup quarterback.
Winston described his role as a "servant leader" and expressed his commitment to uplifting Dart's spirits while preparing to start against the Tennessee Titans at MetLife Stadium. He acknowledged the challenge of stepping into an offensive system designed for Dart's skill set, noting his past struggles as a starter, including a poor performance against the Rams where he completed 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and an interception.
Head coach John Harbaugh highlighted Winston's strengths, stating, "He can throw the ball. Everybody that follows football has certainly seen Jameis play, and that’s — his strengths are evident, so that’s what you build around." The Giants are hopeful that Winston's week of practice with the first team will lead to improved performance compared to his previous outing. Winston remains focused on his goal of becoming a Super Bowl-winning quarterback, emphasizing that football is his priority.