“I’m the Starter” – Jameis Winston Calls Out Reporter For Calling Him Giants’ “Backup” Quarterback

Veteran Jameis Winston is starting games at quarterback for the New York Giants in Jaxson Dart's absence.

“I’m the Starter” – Jameis Winston Calls Out Reporter For Calling Him Giants’ “Backup” Quarterback

Jameis Winston (Image via IMAGO)

With Jaxson Dart on IR, Jameis Winston has taken over starting quarterback duty. As such, the media should start calling him the starter instead of a backup. One reporter didn’t get the memo and kept addressing Winston as the backup.

The reporter asked Winston whether backup quarterbacks should take more first-team snaps in practice. Winston calmly reminded him that he’s the starter now, even though he’s the backup. So, he should ask similar questions as he would to other QB1s.

You keep saying backup… I am not the backup no more… I am the starter.

Jameis Winston said via SNY

Winston understands that he’s the backup when Dart’s healthy and starting games, but right now he’s the man under center with the youngster out injured. As such, the veteran revealed that he did not take the opportunity lightly.

It’s our job… It’s a privilege, you know, whatever the role.

Jameis Winston said via SNY

After correcting the reporters, Winston addressed his original question: whether backups should get first-team reps in practice.

I think you have to give them and exhaust all your energy into letting them get these reps because the vision of the team and everything that comes with the development and the aura of the team is going through… And when you have opportunity to step up and do it, make the most of it.

Jameis Winston said via SNY

Winston stepped in after Dart suffered a knee injury in Week 2. The Giants lost by 22 points to the LA Rams. Last week, against the Titans, Winston didn’t throw a touchdown pass, took 3 sacks, and had a passer rating of 77.5.

The Giants still won 12-7. Later, Winston gave a bizarre explanation when reporters asked him about the Giants’ lackluster performance.

The Giants signed Winston in 2025. He was third choice behind Russell Wilson and Dart. After Wilson retired from football in the offseason, the Giants retained Winston by extending his contract. So far, he has thrown 25 completions for 229 yards and one interception this year.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted Winston first overall. Afterwards, Winston spent time with the New Orleans Saints and the Cleveland Browns before joining the Giants. Winston has a 37-53 record as a starter in this league.

The veteran played college football at Florida State. He went 26-1 in his two years as the starter and won the Heisman Trophy in 2013.

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Jameis Winston hypes up Deshaun Watson

Winston and Deshaun Watson were drafted two years apart. Neither is with the same team that drafted them. They were briefly teammates in 2024. Back then, Winston got game time after Watson picked up a season-ending ACL injury.

"I'm the Starter" - Jameis Winston Calls Out Reporter For Calling Him Giants' "Backup" Quarterback
Jameis Winston (Image via IMAGO)

Watson established himself as a top quarterback in Houston but has struggled to replicate similar success in Cleveland until 2026. The Browns are 3-1 after four games, with Watson leading from the front. He has thrown 6 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

The win streak kicked off in Tampa Bay when Watson threw for 238 yards and two touchdowns in a 23-19 victory. After the game, Winston congratulated Watson.

Deshaun always wins in Tampa. Ay bro, that’s your spot. God is intentional…You won a championship there, just keep building off of that.

Jameis Winston said on Where’s Jameis show

Watson played in the 2016-17 College Football Playoff final with the Clemson Tigers at Tampa Bay, sparking another comparison with Winston.

The Giants host the Browns at MetLife Stadium in December. A lot can change before then, as both teams have to play more than six games in between, so it’s difficult to predict whether Winston or Watson will still be the quarterback by then.

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