Since 2015, Winston reached the pinnacle of football after being selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the first overall pick in the draft. From there, he has built a long career, and retirement still seems like a distant idea for him.

In a recent appearance on a new episode of Pardon My Take, Winston spoke about his future in the league, making it clear that he would like to play many more years as a professional athlete.

“I would love to play 12 years, right? And that’s just 12,” the experienced quarterback said. Will he stay in the Big Apple defending the Giants throughout this time, or will he seek new horizons that allow him to extend his NFL career even further?

An experienced back for Dart

With Russell Wilson entering the 2026 NFL free agency after a difficult stint in New York, it is highly probable the Giants will move on from the veteran quarterback.

After being demoted to third-string behind rookie Jaxson Dart, Wilson is expected to seek a fresh start elsewhere, clearing the path for Jameis Winston—who remains under contract for another year—to serve as the primary backup and mentor to Dart.

Winston remains confident in his physical longevity, famously stating, “In terms of my arm, like, I’m blessed. Like, I’m really grateful,” signaling his readiness to provide the Giants with stable veteran depth as they build around their young starter.

Jaxson Dart finally cleared concussion protocol. However, the team has played well with Jameis Winston. Mike Kafka, interim head coach, confirmed that the Giants will deploy Dart as the starter.

Dart missed two games and the Giants lost both of them, but both were one-score games. Winston completed 56.9% of his passes for 567 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Classic Jameis form.

Jameis brings a different vibe than Dart

Dart is a mobile QB with a big arm and ability to run. Winston is more of a pocket passer, but can move and is a wild man. His recklessness is his best and worst asset at the same time.

For Dart, he needs to take care of himself while running, but the fact of the matter is that he is a dual-threat quarterback. Against the Patriots, the Giants need to be absolutely fearless. In the end, they are facing one of the best teams in the NFL.

The Patriots can’t afford to lose this game

The Patriots are 10-2 atop of the AFC. However, a loss paired with a Broncos win would bring them back to the second seed of the conference. This would mean New England would lose the bye week and lose a possible AFC Championship Game at home.

That is absolutely not what the Patriots want. Hence, they cannot overlook the Giants, especially after a long week of preparation. This is a must-win game for the Pats, but the Giants have nothing to lose. It can be a good primetime showdown.

A few weeks ago, the Giants lost Jaxson Dart to a concussion, which opened the door for Winston to take over as QB1. The veteran has delivered solid performances, but his continuity as the starter is now in jeopardy.

On Thursday, the Giants announced that Jaxson Dart has cleared the concussion protocol. This means the rookie is expected to regain the starting job when New York faces the New England Patriots on Monday.

Jameis Winston’s show must — and will — go on

While Jaxson Dart is set to return, Jameis Winston will remain ready for any opportunity. Despite losing both of his starts, his performances were far from disappointing.

Winston completed 37 of 65 passes for 567 yards across his two starts. He threw two touchdowns and two interceptions, and he even added a receiving touchdown in the matchup against the Lions.

The former Buccaneers signal-caller is now expected to back up Dart, with Russell Wilson already relegated to the QB3 role. Still, Winston’s future in New York appears uncertain.

According to reports, Winston could leave the Giants after this season in search of a starting job elsewhere. His options may be limited, but teams like the Jets or Saints — both dealing with instability at quarterback — could present opportunities.

And what about Russell Wilson?

Winston’s momentum stands in stark contrast to Russell Wilson’s situation. The former Super Bowl champion was originally expected to start all season, but he was quickly demoted to a backup role and eventually to QB3 — a surprising fall for a player with his résumé.

Wilson’s contract runs through 2026, and the Giants reportedly have no plans to extend him. His future appears to be as a backup at best, with retirement also looming as a real possibility.

Fans in the NFL are reminded on a weekly basis just how unpredictable Winston can be. Since Jameis took over starting quarterback duties for the Giants, the fanbase in New York knew they’d be in for a wild ride. However, it seems the Lions nor their home fans in Motor City were ready for the former first overall selection to take over.

Leading the 6-4 Lions by a score of 20-17 in the fourth quarter, the 2-9 Giants dialed up a risky play. The season is virtually over for New York, so there may not be a better moment to roll the dice for the G-men. And, that they did.

On first-and-ten from Detroit’s 33-yard-line, New York called for a reverse play, in which Gunner Olszewski threw to Winston, who — against all odds — broke free for one of the best touchdowns of the 2025 NFL season.

The art of Jameis Winston

There may truly never be a player quite like Winston in the NFL. The 31-year-old veteran brings an unparalleled mix of charisma, recklessness, and love for the game of football, that makes him a fan favorite.

Of course, having a player like Winston under center brings its share of pros and cons. For the Giants, however, he’s the best option available with Jaxson Dart still not cleared after sustaining a concussion. And with the season nearly over—and a young, promising roster taking shape—New York isn’t in desperate need of wins.

For now, riding the Winston roller coaster may be worth it, at least while Dart remains physically unable to return to the gridiron. If the 2025 first-round pick does make it back, that becomes a different story entirely. Until then, the G-Men will roll with Winston, who promises to deliver great highs and lows from week to week.

Winston was speaking with Ed Valentine of bigblueview.com, and he said, “I just found out, I just knew I had to be ready. Whatever is required for me to be ready, I’m ready for it.” Winston has the ability to make everything sound dramatic and that’s why he is a beloved character in the NFL.

The former Buccaneer played last week against the Packers because Jaxson Dart is still recovering from a concussion. Winston threw for 65.5% completion, with 201 yards, no touchdown and one interception. He threw the pick that sealed the game. But, to be fair, it was a bad route from the receiver that caused the pick.

Jaxson Dart hasn’t cleared concussion protocol

Dart has been a revelation despite his 2-5 record as a starter. Dart is completing 62.7% of his passes for 1,417 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. However, he has also brought a dynamic in the run game. He has famously gotten the most designed runs of any quarterback in the NFL. Dart has 57 rushing attempts for 317 yards and seven touchdowns.

Being used that much in the running game exposed Dart to too many hits, and one of them caused him the concussion that has sidelined him for the last week and now this one against the Lions.

The Giants need to protect their stars

New York has some young prospects: second-year receiver Malik Nabers, and rookies running back Cam Skattebo and quarterback Jaxson Dart. All of them are now injured. The offense has potential but all three of them are out, and Nabers and Skattebo are out for the season.

Skattebo was highly used and exposed to hits (plus his style doesn’t help), Nabers suffered due to the MetLife turf, and Dart was injured because of the many designed runs. The Giants need to handle their stars properly.

But the real question is: what is the main reason why Dart won’t play in this crucial matchup, and why Winston will — a quarterback who, at one point, was actually third on the Giants’ depth chart?

The former Ole Miss standout was forced to leave the field in his last outing against the Bears due to a severe concussion, which will keep him sidelined at MetLife. Interim head coach Mike Kafka is hopeful that he’ll be ready to return by Week 12.

For this storied franchise, the season has been far from what anyone expected — not only in terms of results, but also because of the devastating injuries suffered along the way. In addition to Dart, key players like Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo have been significant losses for a team still searching for its footing.

Winston over Wilson

Russell Wilson’s arrival once had many believing the Giants had finally found their franchise quarterback to make a legitimate push for a Super Bowl run. However, his underwhelming performance has left him out of the starting role even now, with Dart in concussion protocol and Winston ultimately set to take the first snap.

“I think Jameis has done a great job since he’s been here,” Kafka said via the team’s official website. “Just like all our quarterback room, I’ve got a lot of trust in that room, being in there all the time, pretty much every single day since we’ve been here.

“But I’ve got a good feel for those guys, and I think Jameis will do a heck of a job. He’s a great leader. He has a lot of production in this league, and I think he’s going to do a great job leading that group.”

Saving the season

The New York Giants find themselves staring down a crucial juncture, desperately needing a win to keep their faltering season alive. After a disappointing start, the team is tasked with an immediate and essential mandate: secure a victory against the Green Bay Packers this weekend.

This matchup is not just another game; it is an inflection point. If the Giants have any hope of salvaging their campaign and mounting a late-season playoff push, it must start with a decisive performance and a win over the Packers. Failure is not an option for Big Blue as they battle to turn their year around.

Russell Wilson’s career hasn’t been the same since leaving the Seattle Seahawks. The Super Bowl XLVIII champion has struggled to find consistency in recent years, and his time with the Giants has only added to his frustrations.

Wilson was initially brought in to be New York’s QB1, but quickly lost his job to rookie Jaxson Dart. Now, with Dart sidelined by a concussion, the team has decided to promote Winston instead — pushing Wilson even further down the depth chart.

Russell Wilson sends message to Jameis Winston after losing starting job

Wilson has been dealt another setback by the Giants. After being benched weeks ago, the veteran has now been passed over again, as interim head coach Mike Kafka confirmed that Winston will start against the Green Bay Packers if Dart isn’t cleared to play.

The move surprised many, especially since Wilson had been listed as the No. 2 quarterback. Still, rather than expressing frustration, the former Seahawks star showed class — sending a supportive message to Winston and emphasizing that the team comes first.

“Obviously, I want to play,” Russell Wilson said, via SNY. “But also, Jameis has worked his butt off to get in great opportunities. The guy’s played in this league for a long time and he’s one of my closest friends. I know he’ll do a great job. I’ll help him prepare in the best way possible. I’ll be ready to go and all that.”

What’s next for Russell Wilson?

Wilson, 36, signed a one-year deal with the Giants for the 2025 season, but all signs point to the Super Bowl champion becoming a free agent once again next offseason.

Retirement has reportedly become an option for Wilson. While he still hopes to continue his career, league confidence in him appears to have waned — meaning his next opportunity may come as a backup rather than a starter.

Wilson signed a one-year deal worth $10.5 million with the Giants, a figure that could potentially rise to $21 million with incentives, after leaving the Steelers. His goal is to stabilize an offense that showed inconsistency throughout last season.

Even though Daboll has already named him the starting quarterback for the upcoming campaign, Wilson isn’t taking anything for granted. He’s staying focused in the competition against teammates who are also aiming for the Giants’ QB1 role. In that context, Russ made it clear he still has a lot left to give.

Russell Wilson sends a warning to his QB1 competitors

“If anybody’s battle-tested, I am. I can handle anything. I think the best part about it, too, is that as a leader, you want everybody to know what they’re getting every day. And I think that’s what I want to be able to establish every day,” Wilson said following practice in East Rutherford.

Russ’ competitors

While Wilson takes the starting role, rookie Dart, a 2025 first-round draft pick, arrives with high expectations and will apply pressure on the veteran. In the early days of training camp, Dart rotated in during drills and occasionally replaced another strong name in the mix, Winston, who signed a two-year deal worth $8 million.

In this scenario, Wilson’s role isn’t just about winning a three-man competition — it’s also about setting the tone and guiding his younger teammates. The Giants’ locker room clearly sees Russ as the leader, but Dart and Winston are fighting for the backup role, with the chance to take on a bigger role depending on their performance.

Many teams in the NFL were looking for solutions in one key department this offseason: solidifying their starting quarterbacks. One of those teams resides in the Big Apple. The New York Giants signed three names to be on their depth chart as they face a new era without Daniel Jones. One is rookie Jaxson Dart, the other two are veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston.

It seems like Wilson will be their starting signal-caller though not everything is set in stone. One of the best offensive players on the roster weighed in on the topic of having multiple QBs. Tyrone Tracy, who was a revelation as a running back last year is a fan of what’s going on in New York.

“I think the first thing that you want to pick out is that the leadership in the room will really help out everybody on the team,” Tracy said on Friday on Good Morning Football. “Obviously, you’ve got Russ, Mr. Unlimited. Then, you’ve got Jameis — he’s the one that has the personality. He can really connect with everybody on the football team. And then you’ve got Jaxson Dart, Mr. Cool Dude, coming in with the swagger, kind of that Italian vibe but he’s not Italian.“

Tyrone Tracy needs to help his quarterbacks

Entering his second year, Tracy is looking to produce alongside Wilson or whoever is under center. Tracy played on Purdue during his college career and was selected in the 5th round of the draft. He had 839 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns in his rookie season. Actually, if counting total scrimmage yards, he had 1,123 yards and 6 trips to the end zone.

Now solidified as the RB1 on the team, Tracy will guide things on the ground, while wide receiver Malik Nabers will be a top-tier weapon for the quarterbacks. The offense should take a massive leap in 2025.

Can the Giants be a top 10 offense?

The G-Men certainly have talent on offense and an offensive-minded head coach in Brian Daboll. With a solid quarterback in Russell Wilson, with Nabers, Tracy and other good quality role players, this offense can be a problem.

While entering the top 10 might be hard, it also can be achievable. Russell Wilson should be a big upgrade over Daniel Jones. Besides Tracy, they also have veteran Devin Singletary and rookie Cam Skattebo to bring new gears into their rushing offense.

A lot has changed within the Giants‘ roster. Along with the arrivals of Wilson, Dart, and Jameis Winston, the team also landed star prospect Abdul Carter, who signed his rookie contract with New York, prompting the team to free up additional cap room.

With increased depth on the roster, head coach Brian Daboll will now face the challenge of deciding who will lead the offense. On one side stands veteran Wilson, determined to lead and earn the starting job. On the other is a young and promising Dart, who, according to local media, is gaining more consideration as a legitimate option. In this context, organizational schemes will also play a crucial role in shaping the outcome.

Restructuring a salary on the Giants

The Giants have restructured the contract of edge rusher Brian Burns to free up cap space, paving the way for the signing of rookie Carter. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, the team converted $16 million of Burns’ base salary into a signing bonus, creating an additional $12 million in cap room.

The move unlocked the ability to sign their first-round draft pick, Carter, for whom they only had $2 million available prior to the restructure. After the adjustment, the 21-year-old defensive end agreed to a fully guaranteed four-year, $45.3 million contract.

The Giants can now focus on what matters

In an NFC East that promises to be highly competitive, the Giants can now shift their focus back to the battle for QB1 ahead of the 2025 NFL season kickoff in September. Although there are still several months to go, head coach Brian Daboll and the rest of the roster are beginning to come together under a new dynamic led by a mix of fresh faces and key returning players.

The upcoming debate over who will claim the Giants’ starting QB spot is set to be intense. Wilson has made it clear on multiple occasions that he wants playing time to prove he can be the starter, but he’s up against two high-caliber contenders in Winston and Dart.

With the start of preseason training, Daboll is getting a closer look at his players’ performances, and rumors are beginning to swirl about who will be the starting quarterback. One of the main voices weighing in has been NFL insider Chris Simms, who shared insight on the situation.

Who will be the Giants’ QB1 in the 2025 NFL season?

According to Simms, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Giants have Dart as their starting quarterback in Week 1 if he continues to impress during training camp and the preseason. “It wouldn’t surprise me if he started right away,” the analyst said on the Up & Adams Show.

“It wouldn’t surprise me… The amount of money they’re paying Russell Wilson doesn’t guarantee him the starting quarterback job, right? I don’t think they’re afraid to start Jaxson Dart here… That’s why they like him,” Simms concluded, hinting at the stance of the New York franchise.

The future outlook presented by Simms would be a setback for Wilson in his bid for the starting role. Time will tell if Daboll believes Dart is the future in New York, a team that must move on from a 3-14 season and will need both talent and composure in its offensive leadership.