The Giants are making another crucial move just days after firing head coach Brian Daboll, following three and a half tumultuous seasons. As revealed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Jordan Raanan on November 12, veteran quarterback Jameis Winston is expected to start Sunday against the Green Bay Packers if rookie Jaxson Dart isn’t cleared from the league’s concussion protocol.
Schefter broke the news on X, writing, “Giants are expected to start QB Jameis Winston vs. the Packers, per @JordanRaanan and me.”
Giants are expected to start QB Jameis Winston vs. the Packers, per @JordanRaanan and me. pic.twitter.com/eEVQxeOrfz
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 12, 2025
Why Mike Kafka Handed Jameis Winston the Keys as Giants Bench Russell Wilson After Daboll Firing?
NFL, Jameis Winston
New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston (19) speaks to the press, Sunday, July 27, 2025.
This marks the first roster shake-up under Mike Kafka, who stepped in as interim head coach after Daboll’s firing on Monday. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo, Kafka has promoted Winston to QB2, bumping Russell Wilson down to third string, a move signaling both urgency and trust in Winston’s leadership.
Wilson had a rough cameo in Sunday’s 24-20 collapse to Chicago. He went 3-of-7 for 45 yards and was sacked twice, unable to protect a 10-point fourth-quarter lead. That outing appears to have prompted the Giants to consider a reset.
Jaxson Dart, that 22-year-old rookie pick who sparked a once-dull attack, is still out following his fourth head injury this year. Since Week 4, across seven games as a starter, he’s thrown for more than 1,417 yards, tossed 10 touchdown passes, while adding another seven scores by rushing – posting a solid 93.5 QB rating along the way. Losing him messes up New York’s flow; worse yet, it sparks worry about what these hits could mean down the road.
Currently, all eyes are on Winston. The Star player who took home the Heisman Trophy and stayed cool all year. At 31, his most recent starting run was during the 2024 campaign with Cleveland; that season, he threw for 2,121 passing yards, 13 stunning touchdowns, and had 12 interceptions over 12 games.
Known for his strong arm and unique style, Winston brings something the Giants offense has lacked right now: the ability to push the ball downfield and force defenses to play honestly.
With Kafka stepping in, things aren’t simply shifting around. This move suggests something more significant. Right now, the Giants barely score, putting up just 16.3 points a game, among the worst in the league, so they’re hungry for any lift before their 2-8 season slips away completely.
The move has divided the Giants’ fan base. Some see Winston as a short-term fix; others see hope in his big-play potential.
After weeks of turmoil, Sunday’s game in Green Bay now feels bigger than the standings. For Mike Kafka, it’s the first test of leadership. For Jameis Winston, it’s another shot to remind everyone that he can still command a huddle and maybe, spark belief in a locker room that’s running out of time.