Giants to start QB Jameis Winston if Jaxson Dart can't go

The New York Giants elevated veteran Jameis Winston to the role of starting quarterback on Wednesday as rookie Jaxson Dart works his way through concussion protocol.

The move to promote Winston over Russell Wilson was announced Wednesday by interim coach Mike Kafka, who replaced the fired Brian Daboll on Monday. Kafka also promoted tight ends coach Tim Kelly to offensive coordinator, the job formerly held by Kafka.

"First and foremost, I want to make Tim Kelly our offensive coordinator. Really smart coach. He'll help us tie in the run game, the pass game. Does a great job with a lot of good experiences to bank on," Kafka said.

"We're also going to put in Jameis Winston as our starting quarterback, and he'll do a great job. I have a lot of confidence in Jameis. I have a lot of confidence in Russ to be the backup as Jaxson works through the concussion protocol."

Early reports said that Dart is unlikely to be cleared in time to lead the Giants (2-8) against the Green Bay Packers (5-3-1) on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.

Winston, 31, inked a two-year, $8 million deal with New York in the offseason. He has yet to see action this season.

Drafted No. 1 overall in 2015 by Tampa Bay, Winston made the Pro Bowl as a rookie and topped the NFL with 5,109 passing yards for the Buccaneers in 2019.

He is 36-51 as a starter, completing 61.2% of his passes for 24,225 yards, 154 touchdowns and 111 interceptions in 105 games with the Bucs (2015-19), New Orleans Saints (2020-23) and Cleveland Browns (2024).

Winston's last appearance came in Cleveland's 21-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 15 of last season.

Wilson, 36, replaced Dart in the second half against the Bears and completed 3 of 7 passes for 45 yards while being sacked twice.

Kelly, 39, is in his second season with the Giants after previously serving as offensive coordinator of the Tennessee Titans (2023) and Houston Texans (2019-21).

--Field Level Media