Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell made it clear this week that he doesn’t see Jameis Winston stepping in for the New York Giants as any sort of advantage for his team. With rookie Jaxson Dart sidelined due to a concussion, the Giants will turn to Winston on Sunday — his second straight start after serving as New York’s emergency third quarterback for the first nine weeks of the season.
Campbell is familiar with Winston from their shared time with the New Orleans Saints in 2020, which was Campbell’s final year on staff there and Winston’s first season with the team.
“I know exactly what he brings,” Campbell said. “He can thread the ball wherever he wants, and he’s never shy about firing it in there. He’s sharp, he’s competitive, and he’s got plenty of experience. He’s won a lot in this league.”
But Campbell’s praise went beyond Winston’s on-field skills.
“He’s just a phenomenal human being,” Campbell added. “Guys gravitate toward him — he’s upbeat, he’s positive, he doesn’t get rattled, and he treats people right. He’s a real leader, the kind of guy you want in your locker room. I loved working with him. Total pro.”
The Giants revamped their quarterback room over the offseason, bringing in Winston, Russell Wilson, and first-round pick Jaxson Dart. Wilson opened the year as the starter for three games, then Dart took over for the next seven — including both of New York’s wins this season — before he entered concussion protocol. That forced Winston into action last week, a 27–20 loss to the Packers, marking his first meaningful snaps of 2025.
New York hoped Dart would return in time for Detroit, but despite limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday, interim head coach Mike Kafka announced Friday that the rookie had not cleared protocol.
Winston said he only learned Friday morning that he would again get the start.
“I always prepare like I’m going to play,” Winston told reporters. “Whatever I need to do to be ready, I do it.”
When a reporter asked whether he’d need to “cram” to prepare for Detroit’s defense, Winston pushed back.
“Were you not listening?” he said. “Pressure is for people who aren’t prepared. I’m ready every single week.”
The Giants, who fired Brian Daboll on Nov. 10 and promoted Kafka to interim coach, bypassed Wilson and gave Winston the nod last week when Dart couldn’t go. Kafka said nothing about Winston’s readiness surprises him.
“He’s a professional in every sense,” Kafka said. “His preparation never changes, whether he’s the starter, the backup, or the No. 3. His consistency and leadership are things we rely on.”
Against Green Bay, the 88th start of his career, Winston completed 19 of 29 passes for 201 yards, throwing no touchdowns and one costly interception — a pick in the end zone with 36 seconds left.
The 2-9 Giants will meet the 6-4 Lions at Ford Field on Sunday at noon CST.
Winston expects an intense matchup.
“That defense is relentless,” he said. “ I know their head coach, I know how he operates. They’re going to be fast, physical, and prepared. We have to match that energy — and we will.”
