It’s a product of unfortunate circumstances -- usual starter Jaxson Dart suffered a knee injury that will require surgery -- but there’s little time to waste on acknowledging misfortune. After being called into emergency action on Monday night in Los Angeles, Winston has a game to prepare for.
“This is what I've always dreamed of, to be a starting quarterback,” Winston told reporters Wednesday ahead of New York's Week 3 matchup with Tennessee. “Obviously, my respects and gratitude is just going to be with Jaxson, but at the same time, this is what I dream of. I dream of being what I am right now and executing at a high level.”
Winston certainly didn’t execute at a high level when he replaced the injured Dart on Monday night, completing 11 of 27 passes for 111 yards and an interception in the 28-6 defeat. He’s been here before, though, starting in place of Dart for two games last season that both ended in one-score losses.
Winston’s experience and performance in spot starts convinced the Giants to reward him with a two-year, $13 million extension earlier in September, securing a veteran backup they can trust. They just didn’t expect to have to turn to him so quickly.
That’s life in the NFL as a backup quarterback, though, and after being one play away from seeing the field, Winston can count on it for the rest of the regular season.
“It's truly a privilege,” he said. “I had this privilege for two games last year. It truly was an honor.
“But for this game alone, my focus is on being my very best, going out there and having elite fundamentals and precise execution. And that's what it starts with, and it's as simple as that. No matter how big it may seem, being present and focused on doing all that you can do with what you have, with where you are. For right now, that's keeping Jaxson’s spirits uplifted and going out there on that football field and being the New York Football Giants starting quarterback right now.”
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Winston is a guaranteed manufacturer of fun, playing a wild and often reckless style of quarterback with the arm talent and athleticism to produce big plays. The former No. 1 pick also comes with what is essentially a guarantee to commit crushing mistakes at the worst possible times.
As the founder of the 30-30 club (30 touchdowns, 30 interceptions thrown in a single season), Winston’s unpredictability has defined his career. He’s liable to throw for 400 yards, but he’s just as likely to throw three interceptions, or a game-losing pick-six (he did all three as a member of the Browns in a 2024 loss to Denver). Winston once even called to the heavens for help after throwing an interception returned for a touchdown, telling reporters he was “praying for the Lord to deliver me from pick-sixes.”
The Giants will want him to be himself, but also keep things between the lines. It’s their best chance of overcoming the loss of Dart and proving themselves as a competitive team worthy of New York’s support.
“The fans want to see wins,” Winston said. “It's not about what I'm showing them. It's about us going out there and winning football games together, giving them something to cheer for, giving them something to stand behind. But right now, my heart, this is fresh. The opportunity is beautiful. It's amazing.
“I'm grateful for it, but at the same time, I've got a brother that I've got to keep lifted up, and I have to prepare for a football game. But I’ve prepared for many football games, and I've dealt with injury before. I've had an injury that was really bad. So, balancing the two, but keeping a perspective of do what you can with what you have right now, where you're at.”
Winston and the Giants (1-1) host the Titans (0-2) on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.