The New York Giants will open the season with Russell Wilson at quarterback. But they also used a first-round pick on April 24 on Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart, signed 10-year veteran Jameis Winston as a free agent and retained Tommy DeVito, who has started eight games in the past two seasons for the Giants.
On Tuesday, New York assistant general manager Brandon Brown said teams with less favorable quarterback depth charts had inquired about obtaining Winston, but he said the former Hueytown High School star isn’t going anywhere.
“I appreciate people that are interested, but Jameis is a New York Giant,” Brown said. “With the way that he’s gone about his business from Day 1, he’s made it very intentional with the fact that he wants to be here and he wants to be here for the long haul. Teammates love him, his preparation process, whether it’s the off-field things that he does in terms of community relations, Bible study, things in the locker room, galvanizing the group together -- not just the quarterback room, but the offense as a whole.
“He’s been comic relief, but he’s also been a really good example of how to be a pro in handling your business in terms of prehab, rehab, postgame care, so I’m happy he’s here, and he’s going to continue to do those things. He hasn’t wavered, and he hasn’t been shaken by any distractions at all.”
On Thursday night, the Giants concluded their preseason schedule with a 42-10 victory over the New England Patriots, and Winston showed he was ready for the season.
Dart started the game, and when the rookie had to leave for a medical check, Winston came in cold off the bench and threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jalin Hyatt on his first snap.
Winston came back to run a second-quarter series that ended with an interception in the end zone. Winston completed 4-of-8 passes for 47 yards.
Dart completed 6-of-12 passes for 81 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions and had a 23-yard run.
“Can’t really put into words how impactful Jameis has been from the locker-room standpoint,” Brown said. “I know you guys see him around, and he has the funny sound bites. But his work ethic has been great for Jaxson, whether it’s doing late-night yoga inside the weight room, mobility, meditation, all those things. It’s really been great for a young quarterback to grow and also just to see someone who has had a perspective outside this building on how to prep and be a pro.”
DeVito played the second half and completed 17-of-20 passes for 198 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions.
In Thursday night’s other preseason game, 2025 UFL Most Valuable Player Bryce Perkins completed 10-of-11 passes for 71 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions and ran twice for 28 yards after signing with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. But Perkins also lost one of his three fumbles and got sacked three times as the Panthers lost 19-10 in their preseason finale to the Pittsburgh Steelers, who got the final 12 points of the game on four field goals by backup kicker Ben Sauls.
In addition to Winston, 14 other players from Alabama high schools and colleges got on the field in the NFL’s Thursday night preseason games:
Pittsburgh Steelers 19, Carolina Panthers 10
Panthers defensive end Derrick Brown (Auburn) did not play.
Panthers wide receiver Kobe Hudson (Auburn) had two receptions for 12 yards.
Panthers cornerback Mike Jackson (Spain Park) did not play.
Steelers linebacker Eku Leota (Auburn) made three tackles, recorded one tackle for loss and forced one fumble. Pittsburgh recovered the fumble at the Carolina 30-yard line to set up a field that put the Steelers in front 13-10 with 5:07 left in the third quarter.
Panthers defensive end LaBryan Ray (James Clemens, Alabama) did not play.
Panthers defensive end A’Shawn Robinson (Alabama) did not play.
Steelers cornerback Mikey Victor (Alabama State) made three tackles.
Steelers punter Corliss Waitman (South Alabama) had a 35-yard punt that went out of bounds at the Carolina 30-yard line. Waitman also was the holder for two field goals.
Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (Alabama) did not play.
New York Giants 42, New England Patriots 10
Javon Baker (Alabama) started at wide receiver for the Patriots. Baker was thrown to twice but did not have a reception. He had a 23-yard kickoff return.
Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore (Alabama) did not play.
Patriots defensive tackle Philip Blidi (Auburn) made one tackle after joining New England on Tuesday.
Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis (Auburn) did not play.
Patriots tight end CJ Dippre (Alabama) did not record any stats.
Cor’Dale Flott (Saraland) started at cornerback for the Giants. Flott broke up one pass.
DJ James (Spanish Fort, Auburn) started at cornerback for the Patriots. James did not record any stats.
Patriots linebacker Anfernee Jennings (Dadeville, Alabama) did not play.
Patriots cornerback Marcus Jones (Enterprise, Troy) did not play.
Evan Neal (Alabama) started at right offensive tackle for the Giants.
Giants defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Central-Phenix City) did not play.
Patriots safety Dell Pettus (Sparkman, Troy) tied for the team lead with six tackles on defense and made another one on special teams.
Patriots outside linebacker Monty Rice (James Clemens) did not record any stats.
Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (Auburn) did not play.
Giants wide receiver Montrell Washington (Samford) had three receptions for 26 yards and a 4-yard punt return.
Patriots wide receiver Jeremiah Webb (South Alabama) had three receptions for 31 yards and one touchdown and returned two punts for 34 yards. Webb caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ben Wooldridge with nine seconds left in the first half.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at@AMarkG1.
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