After a season-ending injury to starter Jaxson Dart, the New York Giants have been forced to juggle their quarterback situation all season long, and they’re about to turn to their third starter of the year.
Just over three weeks after the Giants traded for J.J. McCarthy, the Giants are officially moving him to starter and benching Jameis Winston. While it was obviously a disappointing move for Winston, he had a classy response to the decision when he spoke to reporters this week.
Giants Make a Change
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The Giants entered the season with Dart as their starter, but he tore the MCL and meniscus in his left knee in Week 2, ending his season. That put Winston back in the starting lineup, and the Giants went 2-1-1 in his four starts.
Following Dart’s injury, New York also traded a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Minnesota Vikings for McCarthy in late September. And on Sunday, McCarthy got his chance.
Winston went 14-of-26 for 152 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions against the Saints, and he was pulled with the Giants trailing 34-10 in the fourth quarter. McCarthy then went 11-of-21 for 243 yards with a touchdown and an interception, nearly leading the Giants all the way back before they fell 34-27.
“I thought he came in there and did a heck of a job given the circumstances,” head coach John Harbaugh said of McCarthy after the game, [via Bleacher Report](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25512899-jj-mccarthy-praised-giants-harbaugh-after-replacing-jameis-winston-week-7-starter-tbd).
Harbaugh was still “honing in on a decision” on Monday. But on Wednesday, the team officially announced that McCarthy will take over as the team’s starter.
‘I Understand Where I Am Now’
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While it was surely a disappointing season for the veteran quarterback, Winston had a classy response to the news this week.
“Last game it wasn’t what it was capable of being,” Winston said, [via SNY Giants](https://x.com/SNYGiants/status/2112991937145844024). “Every single week, you’re defined off of the last time you stepped foot on the field. So I believe based off last game, my job is to lead the New York Football Giants to a win, and that didn’t happen. That being said, I understand where I am now.”
Winston has spent most of the past seven seasons as a backup, so he’s no stranger to the role. And he sounds grateful to still be in the league.
“Just focusing on one day at a time,” Winston said. “I’m extremely grateful that I still get to do what I love, and that’s play football at a high level for the New York Football Giants.”
“Being able to accept roles and understand like, ‘What is your significant role? How can I be the best at my role with this team?’ is one of the things you have to adjust to in this league,” he added.
The Giants are 3-2-1 and still in the mix in the NFC East heading into Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans