Interim coach Mike Kafka has handed the New York Giants the keys at quarterback to Jameis Winston as the franchise searches for a spark, while rookie Jaxson Dart recovers in concussion protocol and Russell Wilson slides down the depth chart. This article looks at the decision, Winston’s comeback timeline, the team context, and what to expect as the Giants roll into Week 11 against Green Bay.
The move feels like a bold reset by Kafka, who promoted Winston to starter for Sunday’s game. The change comes as the Giants try to shake loose from a rocky stretch and give a veteran signal-caller a real shot to right the ship. Fans have reasons to be curious and even optimistic about a fresh pulse under center.
Winston, 31, has not taken an NFL snap since Week 15 of the 2024 season with the Cleveland Browns, which makes this return a bit of a storyline and a test in equal measure. He signed a two-year, $8 million deal with New York in the offseason and has mostly been a depth option behind Russell Wilson and rookie Jaxson Dart. Now the pages turn and Winston gets the chance to show what he can still do at the highest level.
Kafka has been coaching this quarterback group all season and made the call on his own, according to reports. “He’ll do a great job. I have a lot of confidence in Jameis,” Kafka said, and that endorsement explains the clear direction the staff chose. It’s a vote of faith from an interim boss trying to stabilize a club in need of steady leadership.
Jaxson Dart being in concussion protocol changes the immediate equation and explains part of the urgency behind naming a starter now. The Giants are treating Dart with caution, and that approach gives Winston a runway to get into rhythm without excessive pressure to perform immediately. For a team juggling expectations, betting on experience makes practical sense.
Russell Wilson’s descent on the depth chart is one of those dramatic roster wrinkles that draw headlines, but the practical question is simple: who gives this offense the best chance to move forward? Kafka’s decision answers that with a preference for a veteran who has a history of making plays and leading drives. The locker room response and on-field chemistry will reveal whether that choice was the right one.
New York fired Brian Daboll recently, which reset a lot of the team’s direction and leadership tone. Kafka’s first big move as interim coach is therefore also a signal to players and fans about the kind of identity he wants to build. Naming a starter now is a direct attempt to create forward momentum instead of floating uncertainty over the roster.
Winston’s track record includes moments of big-play ability and occasional turnovers, so the narrative will be about managing risk while unlocking upside. If he can protect the ball and get the passing game clicking, the Giants might find more sustained drives and fewer stalled possessions. That kind of stability could lift an offense that’s been uneven this season.
Beat writers and insiders expect a different vibe in the locker room once Winston takes the field, and the Packers test will be an immediate measuring stick. The matchup will reveal whether the veteran can thread timing with his new attackers and whether Kafka’s voice translates in game conditions. If positive, this could be the beginning of a steadying run for a team in need of consistent quarterback play.
“I’m a loud and proud Miami Hurricane, but I’ve always loved Jameis Winston despite him being a Florida State Seminole. I don’t know about that whole New York is “the greatest city in the world” nonsense, but this is going to be a fun experience in the Big Apple.”
